Read the quote.
I am Dekanawidah [identified as the traditional founder of the Iroquois Confederacy] and with the Five Nations confederate [united for a common purpose] lords I plant the Tree of the Great Peace. . . . Under the shade of this Tree of the Great Peace we spread the soft white feathery down of the globe thistle as seats for you Adodarhoh [an Onondaga chief], and your cousin lords. . . . There shall you sit and watch the council fire of the confederacy of the Five Nations, and all the affairs of the Five Nations shall be transacted at this place before you. . . .
We place at the top of the Tree of the Long Leaves an eagle who is able to see afar. If he sees in the distance any evil approaching or any danger threatening he will at once warn the people of the confederacy. The smoke of the confederate council fire shall ever ascend and pierce the sky so that other nations who may be allies may see the council fire of the Great Peace . . .
—Iroquois Constitution
Based on this excerpt, what was the purpose of the Iroquois League?
A.
to maintain an ever-burning fire as a symbol of unity
B.
to work together and defend each other to keep peace
C.
to establish laws that all American Indian nations were to follow
D.
to provide comfort and care for visiting tribal leaders
To determine the purpose of the Iroquois League based on the given excerpt, we need to analyze the text. The quote mentions the planting of the Tree of the Great Peace and the gathering of the Adodarhoh and other lords under it. It also mentions the council fire of the confederacy, which will be seen by other nations.
From this information, we can infer that the purpose of the Iroquois League was to work together and defend each other to keep peace (Option B). The Tree of the Great Peace symbolizes unity, and the presence of the council fire suggests that the confederacy will make decisions and transact the affairs of the Five Nations. Additionally, the mention of the eagle placed at the top of the Tree of the Long Leaves indicates that they were vigilant for any approaching evil or danger, demonstrating a defensive purpose.