The five Iroquois nations (Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca) decided to form the Iroquois League, also known as the Iroquois Confederacy, because they wanted to create a peaceful alliance for mutual defense, economic cooperation, and governance. They believed that by coming together as a unified confederation, they could better protect themselves against outside threats, resolve conflicts among themselves, and improve their collective prosperity. The Iroquois League was founded on the principles of unity, peace, and democracy, with each nation maintaining its autonomy while working together for the common good.
