Description
Iroquois Diplomacy on the Early American Frontier is one of the titles in The Penguin Library of American Indian History written by Timothy Shannon, associate professor of history at Gettysburg College. This accessible volume offers the general reader as well as the historian the opportunity to read a book that looks closely at the Six Nations Iroquois as a competent diplomatic force during the 17th and 18th centuries in early America. Rather than viewing the Iroquois as the noble savage or the fierce warriors as portrayed in many American general histories, this volume examines the role of the Confederacy and each member nation's role during the colonial period. Chapters detail the efforts made to maintain peace, the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the various treaty negotiations. The book begins with an overview of the Six Nations Iroquois at the time of the visit of the so-called Four Indian Kings trip to Europe. The overview provides readers with an introduction to the Iroquois cultural traditions and governance model. This is a useful overview of Iroquois history, diplomatic protocol, and relations with Britain, France, and America during the period prior to the War of 1812.