What was a distinguishing feature of the tribes in the Iroquois Confederacy?

The distinction of the tribes in the Iroquois Confederacy lies in their formation of a sophisticated political alliance designed to enhance their collective strength and address the challenges posed by European colonization. This confederacy, also known as the Haudenosaunee or Six Nations, included the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca, and later the Tuscarora tribes.

Their political organization was remarkable for its time, as it established a representative government where councils comprised of leaders from each tribe would come together to make decisions that affected all member tribes. This united front allowed the Iroquois to negotiate treaties, engage in trade, and defend their territories against external pressures from European settlers.

The other aspects mentioned, such as being primarily agricultural societies without political organization, practicing a nomadic lifestyle, or being united solely by trade, do not accurately reflect the nature of the Iroquois Confederacy. In fact, their agricultural practices were supported by a structured political system, making them an influential force in the region during the period of European expansion in North America.