Historian Debunks Iroquois Confederacy's Constitutional Influence as 1960s Myth

The long-standing belief that the U.S. Constitution was significantly influenced by the Iroquois Confederacy's Great Law of Peace has been challenged by historian Jarrett Stepman, who asserts the notion originated from an unattributed line in a 1960s biography of John Rutledge. Stepman, a prominent conservative commentator, also criticized documentary filmmaker Ken Burns for perpetuating this "stupid myth." The debate highlights ongoing discussions about the historical origins of American democracy and the accuracy of popular narratives.

The claim of Iroquois influence gained traction in the late 20th century, notably with a 1988 U.S. Senate resolution acknowledging the contribution of the Iroquois Confederacy to the development of the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. Proponents, such as Professor Donald Grinde, suggest that figures like Benjamin Franklin and James Madison drew inspiration from the Iroquois' democratic ideals. Franklin's 1751 letter, noting that if "ignorant savages" could unite, the colonies could too, is often cited as evidence.

However, many scholars dispute this direct influence. Critics, including Stanford University historian Jack N. Rakove, argue that "the voluminous records we have for the constitutional debates of the late 1780s contain no significant references to the Iroquois." Anthropologist Elisabeth Tooker further contends that the idea is a "myth" stemming from an exaggerated and misunderstood claim by ethnographer J.N.B. Hewitt after his death in 1937. Tooker highlights fundamental differences, such as the Iroquois' matriarchal system for selecting leaders versus the U.S. Constitution's electoral process.

Stepman's tweet specifically points to a 1960s John Rutledge biography as the source of this particular fabrication, though the exact biography and its specific unattributed line remain to be widely identified in public discourse. John Rutledge, a key figure in the Constitutional Convention and chairman of the Committee of Detail, played a significant role in drafting the Constitution, but historical records do not indicate his reliance on Iroquois governance models. The criticism of Ken Burns suggests that his widely viewed historical documentaries may have inadvertently amplified this disputed narrative, contributing to its popular acceptance despite scholarly counter-arguments.