The Great Beaver Wars - Ohio History Connection

Introduction

• Time Period: Starting 1640
• Key Item: Beaver pelts
• Main Conflict: Iroquois Confederacy vs. Algonquian-speaking tribes of the Ohio Country and Great Lakes
• Allies: Iroquois were allied with British; Algonquian tribes were supported by the French.
• Region: Great Lakes

The Iroquois Confederacy

• Comprised of five tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca
• Participated in fur trade for over 200 years before the wars
• Traded beaver pelts with British for essential tools and firearms

Causes of the War

• Overhunting: By mid-17th century, beaver population near depletion in the St. Lawrence River area
• Expansion: Iroquois expanded hunting into Ohio Country, clashing with local tribes and French merchants
• Competition: Rivalry for dominance in the beaver pelt trade

The Conflict

• Duration: Over 60 years of battles and rivalries
• Outcome: Iroquois gained control over most of the Ohio Country but suffered significant losses
• Destruction: Frequent burning of Iroquois homes and lands by the French

Treaty of Grande Paix

• Date: 1701
• Participants: British, French, Iroquois Confederacy, Great Lakes tribes
• Result: Solidified alliance between Iroquois and British, setting the stage for cooperation in the French and Indian War

Significance

• Critical in developing relations between American Indians and European settlers
• Set precedents for alliances and conflicts in the subsequent century

Topical Questions

• Why did European merchants and settlers choose different sides?
• How did the Beaver Wars and the Treaty of Grande Paix reshape European and American Indian relationships in the 18th century?

Additional Resources

• Further Reading
• Ohio History Central
• Virtual Museum Resource