Relations with the Iroquois

The Iroquois were running out of the fur they needed to trade for Dutch firearms. Also, the European diseases were killing the Iroquois. The Iroquois felt that they had to go to war to conquer new territories or be destroyed. They concentrated their attacks on the Huron after 1640. The Susquehannock warriors fought as Huron allies. However, at one point the Huron refused any further help from the Susquehannock and they were overrun by the Iroquois during the winter of 1648-1649.

The Iroquois went on to conquer other tribes and as they grew in strength, the Susquehannock became worried. Finally, the Iroquois and Susquehannock went to war. The Susquehannock were pushed further south. Hard pressed by the Mohawk, the Susquehannock tried to make friends with the Dutch, but the Dutch remained neutral. In 1652, the Susquehannock signed a treaty with Maryland, giving them much of the lower Susquehanna Valley in exchange for peace and trade with the English. In 1654, smallpox hit their village and slowed fighting for both the Mohawk and the Susquehannock. In 1655, the Dutch seized the Swedish colonies and cut off the supply of arms for the Susquehannock.

The Susquehannock were forced to ask the Mohawk for peace. The Mohawk agreed in 1656.