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 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 he council of 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 and 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
B. To work together and defend each other to keep peace.
Based on the excerpt, the purpose of the Iroquois League was B. To work together and defend each other to keep peace.
To arrive at this answer, we can analyze the provided quote. The quote mentions the planting of the Tree of Great Peace, which signifies unity among the five Nations confederate. The Tree serves as a symbolic meeting place where the chiefs and lords of the confederacy gather to discuss and make decisions. The quote also mentions the presence of an eagle at the top of the Tree, symbolizing watchfulness and protection for the confederacy. Additionally, the quote mentions the council fire, which represents the bonding and communication between the confederate nations.
These elements suggest that the main purpose of the Iroquois League was to establish a cooperative alliance between the five Nations to work together, defend each other, and maintain peace among themselves. Therefore, option B, "To work together and defend each other to keep peace," is the correct answer.