Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.
Changes in the land by William Cronon (2011) provides comprehensive information on the changes that have occurred in the nature and ecology of New England with the arrival of the colonists. In general, the book presents a comprehensive look at the relationship between the activities of Europeans and the formation of the modern landscape of the territory. The information presented in the work is extremely fascinating, as it allows you to look at the process of colonization of the continent from an unexpected point of view.
The life of the indigenous people was completely built around the seasons and natural cycles. Changes in nature determined their mobility, as well as the variety of activities depending on the season. Although indigenous people in Southern New England were engaged in agriculture, they constantly roamed, which prevented the depletion of the soil. Thus, the indigenous people viewed man as a part of nature, which depends on it and must obey the general order. This model of perception of nature allowed the Indians to live in mobile communities that organically exist within the ecosystem.
Colonizers, on the contrary, sought to settle down and create comfortable conditions for farming and livestock breeding in one place, regardless of the season. Settlers viewed the land as a source of profit and its exploitation as the maximization of resources, while the Indians seemed to them “impoverished” (Cronor, 2011, p. 55). Thus, settlers viewed nature as a source of various materials that should serve the benefit of people. This view led to the emergence of settlements and geographic boundaries, as well as a society based on private property. The colonialists used the land for agriculture and livestock raising and actively deforested and burned forests, which soon led to changes in the ecosystem.
The colonialism of New England brought about changes in the landscape of the region. First of all, there was massive deforestation due to the burning of forests or the receipt of lumber. Additionally, due to the active breeding of livestock, soil exhaustion has occurred in many areas. The need to separate animals and prevent conflicts with neighbors over eaten crops has led to the emergence of a large number of fences and the establishment of not only geographical but also visual boundaries. In many ways, such boundaries also served to take land from the indigenous inhabitants.
Reference
Cronon, W. (2011). Changes in the land: Indians, colonists, and the ecology of New England. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
Order from us for quality, customized work in due time of your choice.