The Iroquois Confederacy, or Haudenosaunee, was a groundbreaking alliance among six Native American nations: the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and later, the Tuscarora. United under the Great Law of Peace, this confederation developed an advanced political system that fostered unity and resilience in the face of external threats. Originating in the northeastern woodlands, the Confederacy’s influence extended across vast territories, from the Great Lakes to the eastern seaboard. With the inclusion of the Tuscarora in the early 18th century, the Confederacy evolved into a more expansive and adaptable coalition, bolstering its power and strategic leverage. The Haudenosaunee played a critical role in regional diplomacy, balancing relations with European powers and neighboring Native nations while demonstrating a unique model of governance and intertribal cooperation that would leave a lasting legacy on the political landscape of North America.