How the Iroquois wars impacted the people of Wisconsin

Lesson Plan Text:

Introduction/Background: During the 1600s, the Iroquois Indians were in search of furs to trade and sell. Invading areas such as Ohio, Michigan, and Ontario, the Iroquois forced many Native American groups to relocate to areas including Wisconsin. This forced relocation created a competition for resources such as land and food amongst tribes including the Sauk, Fox, Ho-Chunk, Pottawatomie, Menominee, and Ojibwe. The invasion of northern and western areas became known as the ¿Iroquois Wars of the 17th Century¿ and affected many inhabitants of Wisconsin.

Lesson Objectives: Students will be able to:
1. Look at how relocation affected competition for resources
2. Analyze a map to see population patterns
3. Look at how previous events affected the location of current populations
4. Understand how the Iroquois were able to effectively attack

Information/Resources:
Maps:  Current Map of Wisconsin
            Indian Tribes of Western Great Lakes circa 1600
            The French in Great Lakes Country
            Spheres of Influence-1713
            Native American Habitation 1830

Book-- Three accounts of the Iroquois wars from the Jesuit Relations-- Jesuit Missionaries Describe the aftermath of Iroquois attacks
Article-- "1653-55: First Iroquois Raid IntoWisconsin"-- trader Nicolas Perrot describes Iroquois raids
 

Suggested Activities:
1. Explain to students that they are going to analyze what impact groups of people might have on current populations as they move into their territory.

2. Begin by showing students a map of Indian Tribes of W. Great Lakes circa 1600.

3. Compare this to the map of The French in Great Lakes Country circa 1680.

4. Explain the competition for furs in the area.

5. Ask students what might happen as different groups (French and Iroquois) begin to demand more furs.

6. What do countries do today when they have a difference of opinions? What about different needs for scarce resources? Discuss some possible solutions to the problems and hypothesize what actions the Iroquois may have taken.

7. Look at the Spheres of Influence Map and the Native American Habitation Map of 1830. What happened to the Native American populations in Wisconsin during this time? Discuss some possible answers.

8. Have students read ¿The First Iroquois Raid Into Wisconsin¿

9. On the map, trace where this may have taken place.

10. Comparing maps, discuss what challenges this created for inhabitants of Wisconsin, including geographical challenges, resources and space.

11. Have students also discuss what is unique about the way the Iroquois invaded.

12. Have students read excerpts from the Jesuit missionary reports. (Every other page is in French, so it is not necessary to copy the entire article!). This is an outstanding account of the Iroquois wars and again, can provide a lead into discussions regarding the challenges that may arise.

13. Have students read excerpts from "Radisson's Account of his Third Journey, 1654-1656." This is a great resource as it talks about first hand encounters with Indians, as well as discussing the introduction of firearms to Indians in Wisconsin.

Conclusion: The Iroquois Wars created a great migration and relocation of many groups of people into and around Wisconsin. This created great competition for resources, which led to fighting and warring throughout the state. Many groups of Native Americans possibly would have never come to Wisconsin without the impact of the Iroquois wars.

Assessment:
 Several opportunities including:
1. Have students write a letter detailing what it may have been like to travel to a new territory and what challenges they may have faced.
2. Have students do further research on a specific tribe (ex. Ho-Chunk). They may look at what patterns of life were disrupted as a result of the Iroquois wars.
3. Have students create two overlay maps that show the state prior to and after the Iroquois wars.