LESSON THREE: The Albany Congress

I. Purpose

Using a specific example of a treaty gathering, students examine the direct contact of Iroquois leaders with one of the Founding Fathers. At this treaty gathering one of the documents that directly influenced the US Constitution was created. The Albany Congress serves as an exemplar for how the gathering affected Benjamin Franklin's writing of the Albany Accords.

II. Objectives

• Students will investigate the Albany Congress and its importance in American History.
• Using primary sources, students will observe which Iroquois and Colonial leaders were present and what they had to say at the Albany Congress.
• Students will examine what Benjamin Franklin reported about the Iroquois Confederacy at this treaty gathering.

III. Essential Questions

• How was the Albany Congress related to the development of the US Constitution?
• What type and how much interaction was there between the Iroquois and the Colonials at the Albany Congress?
• What influence did Iroquois leaders have on Colonial leaders?

IV. Rationale

• To make the connection between the influence of the Iroquois Confederacy on the Founding Fathers, it is essential to witness an instance when two groups came together when a seminal political event was happening that influenced the future development of the US Constitution. In 1754, Albany was the place.

V. Student's Prior Knowledge

• Unit Vocabulary
• Grasp of the treaty gathering culture and what occurred during these events.
• Awareness how treaty gatherings influence people.

VI. Materials

• Students will need writing materials and art materials to illustrate their work.

VII. Activity for Lesson Three

© 1 October 2001, Portland State University