Which of the following factors MOST likely led to the development of the longhouse -- a narrow, bark-covered, and long dwelling used as a shelter by the Iroquois?
A. Defense needs
B. Family size
C. Order from the leader of the clan
D. Scarcity of building materials

Question

Which of the following factors MOST likely led to the development of the longhouse -- a narrow, bark-covered, and long dwelling used as a shelter by the Iroquois?
 A. Defense needs
 B. Family size
 C. Order from the leader of the clan
 D. Scarcity of building materials

jgirl128 · Answer

from what I've read, I think the answer might be B. "The Iroquois longhouses had doors on both ends. They were usually covered with animal skins during the winters to keep some of the cold air out. Each Iroquois longhouse was designed so as many as twenty families or more could live in it. A family would occupy a booth on either side of the hallway. The booth had a wooden platform for sleeping." http://www.indians.org/articles/iroquois-longhouse.html

jgirl128 · Answer

"Longhouses have another thing in common besides their shape: they were built to serve as a home for a large extended family. An extended family includes a number of family units consisting of parents and children, plus grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. In an Iroquois longhouse there may have been 20 or more families which were all related through the mothers' side, along with the other relatives." https://www.nysm.nysed.gov/IroquoisVillage/constructiontwo.html