What characterized the system of government of the Iroquois Nation?

The Iroquois Nation is characterized by a confederacy, which refers to a political alliance of independent tribes that come together for mutual benefit while maintaining their sovereignty. This system allowed the member tribes, known as the Haudenosaunee or Six Nations, to work collectively on issues of defense, trade, and internal governance without losing their individual identities.

The confederacy was governed by a council made up of representatives from each tribe, which enabled a participatory approach to decision-making. The Great Law of Peace exemplifies how the Iroquois developed sophisticated systems of governance, balancing the power among the tribes while ensuring that all voices were heard through consensus-building processes.

Unlike a monarchy, where a single ruler holds power, or a democracy that typically emphasizes equal voting rights among all citizens in a singular government structure, the Iroquois system showcased a unique blend of self-governance among its tribes and collaborative policy-making through the confederation. This structure laid important groundwork for later democratic principles in the formation of the United States.