Question

part 1 \... we heartily recommend union and a good agreement between you our brethren. our wise forefathers established union and amity between the five nations; this has made us formidable, this has given us great weight and authority with our neighboring nations. we are a powerfull confederacy, and by your observing the same methods our wise forefathers have taken, you will acquire fresh strength and power.\ - canasatego, the leader of the onondaga nation and spokesman for the haudenosaunee confederation when he advised the british colonists in 1744. 1.) what does canasatego mean when he says “our wise forefathers established union and amity between the five nations?” 2.) who is canasatego talking to in this text, and what is he recommending? 3.) think about what the onondaga tribe is saying to the british (american) colonists. why do you think they are giving the colonists this advice? how does this make the onondaga seem?

Explanation:

Question 1

The "Five Nations" here refers to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy, which consisted of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations. When Canasatego says his forefathers established union and amity between these five nations, he means that his ancestors created a political and social alliance (the confederacy) where these nations worked together in peace, cooperation, and unity. This union likely involved shared governance, mutual defense, and collaborative decision - making, which made the confederacy strong.

From the text, it says "when he advised the British colonists in 1744", so Canasatego is talking to the British colonists. And he is recommending "Union and a Good Agreement" between the colonists (the "you" and "our Brethren" in the text). He is suggesting that the colonists follow the example of his forefathers who established union and amity among the Five Nations, as he believes this will give the colonists "fresh Strength and Power".

1. Reason for advice: The Onondaga (as part of the Haudenosaunee) may have given this advice because they saw the success of their own confederacy in terms of strength and authority with neighboring nations. They might have wanted the colonists to also experience the benefits of unity, perhaps to create a stable relationship with the colonists (either for trade, mutual defense, or to have a strong neighbor). Also, by sharing their successful model, they could position themselves as wise and experienced in governance.
2. How it makes the Onondaga seem: It makes the Onondaga seem wise (as they are sharing the wisdom of their forefathers), powerful (since their confederacy is described as "formidable" and having "great weight and Authority"), and generous in sharing their successful political model with the colonists. They come across as a people with a strong, effective system of governance that they are willing to impart to others for mutual benefit (or at least to help the colonists become a stronger entity).

Answer:

His forefathers (of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy) created a political - social alliance (the confederacy) of peace, cooperation, and unity among the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, and Seneca nations.

Question 2