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Howard Zinn, in his book "A People's History of the United States," compares the Iroquois (Haudenosaunee) culture with European cultures by examining their societies, values, and ways of life before European colonization. Zinn highlights that the Iroquois society was matrilineal, meaning that family descent and inheritance were passed down through the female line. Women played a significant role in decision-making and had substantial power in their communities.
In contrast, European societies of the same era were generally patriarchal, with power and inheritance typically passed through the male line. European women had fewer rights and less influence in public life compared to Iroquois women.
Zinn also notes that the Iroquois Confederacy had a sophisticated political system with democratic elements. The confederacy was composed of six nations who had a Great Council with representatives from each nation. Decision-making was by consensus, valuing the input of each member, unlike many European governments, which were often monarchical and heavily hierarchical.
Zinn additionally remarks on the difference in attitudes toward land and property. The Iroquois had a concept of stewardship over the land, with a belief in using natural resources communally and sustainably. They practiced this sustainable approach through crop rotation and did not overhunt their territories. In contrast, Europeans had a strong sense of private property and land exploitation, often leading to overuse and long-lasting environmental damage.
Lastly, Zinn took note of the differences in war and conflict between the cultures. While the Iroquois did engage in warfare, their warfare was limited, with specific rules of combat and treatment of prisoners that often involved adoption into the tribe. Europeans, on the other hand, had a history of extensive warfare that involved complete conquests and subjugation of peoples, often justified by a belief in their own cultural superiority.