The Confederation of the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) differed from other American indigenous confederations in the Northeast forests, mainly because it was better organized, more consciously defined, and more effective. The Iroquois used elaborately ritualized systems to choose leaders and make important decisions. They persuaded colonial governments to use these rituals in their joint negotiations and fostered a political tradition based on ceremonial sanction.
They exchanged furs with Englishmen and Dutchmen in exchange for firearms. The resulting depletion of local populations prompted members of the confederation to wage wars against distant tribal enemies in order to obtain fur supplies. In short, they had several mutual relations with the settlers in search of social benefits.