Iroquois practiced a form of slavery, but it was distinct from the chattel slavery associated with Europeans. Among the Iroquois, slavery primarily involved war captives who were taken during raids. These captives were often subjected to a process of "social death," where they were stripped of their previous identity and clan ties. However, they could be integrated into Iroquois society, sometimes even becoming full members of the community over time. This practice was driven by the need to replenish populations that had been diminished by warfare and disease.
The fate of captives varied: some were executed, while others were adopted into families as replacements for lost relatives. Women and children were more likely to be incorporated into Iroquois society, while male warriors were often killed. The Iroquois viewed this system as a way to sustain their communities rather than as an economic enterprise, which contrasts with the European model of slavery that focused on labor and profit.
