The Iroquois Constitution Quiz

In terms of a governmental body, what do the roots of the Tree of the Great Peace in The Iroquois Constitution represent to the Iroquois confederacy?

• sources of food

• strength from unity

• hidden secrets of rulers

• differences among people

According to The Iroquois Constitution, what is the mission of the Five Nations?

• to include anyone who agrees to the Iroquois Constitution

• to exclude anyone not in one of the nations

• to divide the nations against one another

• to be always on the watch for danger

In The Iroquois Constitution, what is the task of the eagle that sits at the top of the Tree of the Long Leaves?

• to hunt food for the people

• to warn the people of danger

• to defend the people from evil

• to fly and give news to the people

The word installed has multiple meanings. Which meaning of installed is the most likely meaning in this sentence from The Iroquois Constitution? "When a candidate lord is to be installed he shall furnish four strings of shells (or wampum) one span in length bound together at one end."

• attached

• settled in

• put in one place

• sworn into leadership

What does the context suggest is the most likely meaning of constitute in this sentence from The Iroquois Constitution? Such will constitute the evidence of his pledge to the confederate lords that he will live according to the constitution of the Great Peace and exercise justice in all affairs.

• negate; disprove

• form; provide

• discover; find

• start; create

Part A: What does the context suggest is the most likely meaning of deliberation in this sentence from The Iroquois Constitution? Neither anger nor fury shall find lodgement in your mind and all your words and actions shall be marked with calm deliberation.

• expertise

• contentment

• disagreement

• contemplation

Part B: Which words from the context best support the answer to Part A?

• anger; fury

• shall find lodgement

• words and actions

• marked with calm

Read the following passage from The Iroquois Constitution: "It shall be a serious wrong for anyone to lead a lord into trivial affairs, for the people must ever hold their lords high in estimation out of respect to their honorable positions." What does this statement advise that the lords need to avoid, lest they lose the respect of their people?

• being led into danger

• entertaining the people

• competing against other lords

• engaging in unimportant activities

In The Iroquois Constitution, what is suggested to a lord when he is told the following? "The thickness of your skin shall be seven spans—which is to say that you shall be proof against anger, offensive actions and criticism."

• You will not be as flexible as other tribe members.

• You will not need to wear heavy clothing outdoors.

• You will not be easily hurt by disapproval or hostility.

• You will not have to prove yourself to anyone.

The following question has two parts. Answer Part A first, then Part B. Part A: Which attributes does the The Iroquois Constitution most expect from the leaders?

• nerve and nobility

• serenity and sympathy

• courage and cleverness

• simplicity and honesty