During the 1600s several nations dominated the northeastern Atlantic seaboard. These nations were the first to feel the impact of disease brought by the 'saltwater people'. While these nations could have destroyed the European incursions singly ( The uniting of every nation in the area would, as depicted by European culture, not have been necessary.)

However, the nations viewed the obtaining of metal products as vital to their being able to dominate the other native nations in their area. The power of the various tribes in the area remained in balance by the formation of political confederations. The dominate two were the Huron Confederation and the Iroquois Confederation. Later, confederations among smaller tribes arose to stem the tide of English and Iroquois expansion. However as the 1600s progressed, the balance of power began to rely of trading partners.

Wars were started over which tribes were trading with which European colonists. Without a doubt the dominant alliance was between the numerous English colonists and the powerful Iroquois Confederation. By 1760 this alliance had swept the French backed native nations out of the northeast Atlantic region.

It is important that you not focus only on the entries concerning the dominant Iroquois. Several smaller nations were highly influential on the events in the area. As in other regions of North America, the entries for some nations will stop abruptly. The cause may have been the devastating results of epidemics or a major defeat which scattered its people. Often the scattered people would be adopted into the tribes of friendly nations. As a result bloodlines and even feud, lines continued to exist.

In fact several wars were caused by an adoptive nation refusing to give up the refugees to their old enemies. The Iroquois in particular went to great lengths and even distances to hunt down refugees from old foes. The Great Peace was an agreement between Iroquois Confederation members plus the Caughnawga. Basically these groups would not fight each other if avoidable.

More NE Atlantic Indian Groups

NE Atlantic Seaboard and E Canada Introduction
NE Atlantic Seaboard and E Canada Indian Groups
NE Atlantic Seaboard and E Canada War Chronology Iroquois Confederation
NE Atlantic Seaboard and E Canada War Chronology Other