Discovery Channel - How the West Was Lost (DC) (1995) Part 7 Divided We Fall

Witness the tragic fall of the great Indian nations. Share the tales of the “conquering” of the American West from the Native American perspective. How The West Was Lost is a series about the westward expansion of colonialists across the North American continent during the latter half of the 19th Century from the experience and point of of view of the Native American peoples. It is the story of how mutual misunderstanding, incomprehension and differing viewpoints contributed to bring into conflict an expanding nation and the land's indigenous population. Each episode examines a separate tribe or battle and features interviews with descendants of legendary Native American warriors.

Part 7 Divided We Fall

This episode traces the rise and fall of the Iroquois confederation. Long before the Europeans arrived, Iroquois nations engaged in bloody conflicts among themselves. Finally, Hiawatha persuaded the Mohawk, Oneida, Cayugas, Onondaga and Senecas to establish a “Great Peace” which began the confederation. The arrival of white men rekindled ancient rivalries and the fur trade lead to the “Beaver Wars” in the mid 1600s. This devastated the Iroquois through warfare, as well as disease. Next, French missionaries attracted some Iroquois with their talk of baptism and peace. Others, however considered the missionaries evil. This was the beginning of the break in the great confederation.

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