They Didn’t Teach Me This in School

Summary

The article acknowledges the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy's governance structure on the U.S. Constitution, highlighting the founders' adoption of the idea of representative democracy.

Abstract

The piece titled "They Didn’t Teach Me This in School" by Oh Hey, It’s Ray discusses the often-overlooked contribution of the Iroquois Confederacy to the United States' system of governance. It points out that the concept of electing representatives to make decisions on behalf of individual states has its roots in the Iroquois Confederacy, where five nations each had a representative to vote on collective actions. The article emphasizes that notable figures such as Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were inspired by this indigenous political system when drafting the U.S. Constitution. The author, Ray, a real estate investor and entrepreneur, advocates for giving credit to the Iroquois people for their significant impact on the American political structure, suggesting that the success of the American experiment is partly due to this borrowed idea.

Opinions

The author believes that the founding fathers of the United States recognized and adapted a good governance system from the Iroquois people.
The article suggests that the U.S. Constitution's framework, specifically the concept of representative democracy, was influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy.
Ray implies that the Iroquois Confederacy's effectiveness in decision-making, such as in defense strategies, served as a model for the United States' federal system.
The author expresses that the Iroquois Confederacy deserves more recognition for its contribution to the United States' foundational governance principles.
The piece conveys a sense of admiration for the Iroquois political system and its enduring legacy in American democracy.

But We Should Give Credit Where Credit is Due

Replica of the Hiawatha Belt (left) next to the flag of The United States of America (right). (Sources: National Museum of the American Indian and Matthis Volquardsen via Pexels)

“The Great American Experiment” is often credited to our founding fathers. But what’s been left out is that these great men just knew a good thing when they saw it.

For example, it’s not a coincidence that our people elect representatives to vote for individual states at the federal level.

We choose leaders to represent our best interest and help strengthen our union.

This is precisely what the Iroquois people did in the Iroquois Confederacy — albeit with some differences.

Still, each of 5 the nations had a representative who would meet with each other.

Together, they would vote on necessary actions, like defense strategies. And you know what? It worked!

It worked so well that people like Benjamin Franklin and John Adams were inspired to use this idea as part of the framework for the U.S. Constitution.

The USA would not be what it is today had our founders not borrowed this idea.

Our country’s very foundation was built, in part, thanks to the Iroquois Confederacy.

Oh Hey, It’s Ray is a real estate investor, entrepreneur, and former real estate agent. She lives happily with her husband and two children in the Pacific Northwest. See more from Ray at her YouTube channel and on Ohheyitsray.com

HISTORY / OPINION

They Didn’t Teach Me This in School

But We Should Give Credit Where Credit is Due