July 17, 2015 Instructions For Changes In Land Use

July 17 2015instructions For Changes In The Landis Due Onaug 6th Of 2
July 17, 2015 Instructions for Changes in the Land Is due on Aug 6th of 2015 IMPORTANT: ONLY IF YOU HAVE READ THE BOOK and HAVE THE BOOK. Book Name: Changes In The Land : Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England by William Cronon. ISBN-10: WRITING INSTRUCTIONS DOWNLOAD: ZIP FILE THIS ESSAY MUST BE DONE BY A+ AND WITH GOOD RATING WRITTER. TOPIC: 1. Your opening paragraph should briefly address these two questions: In general, what is this book about? What is Cronon's thesis? 2. When Europeans first arrived in New England, what did they find? What were the most important ways the New England environment differed from that of Europe? In what ways did they find that environment to be of value to them? 3. Explain how the New England environment—plants, animals, climate, topography—accounted for the diversity found in the Indian tribes that lived there? For example, how does it explain why northern New England tribes differed from those in southern New England? What were those differences? In what ways did the New England environment shape or influence the development of the lifestyle and society of the tribes that lived there? How did Indians shape and manipulate the environment to fit their lifestyles? 4. Describe the respective roles of men and women in Indian society. 5. The Indian view of property and land possession differed significantly from that of Europeans. Briefly discuss how the Indians viewed property and the possession of land. How did the Europeans' views on those subjects lead them to be critical of the Indian way of life and to justify their taking of Indian land? 6. Discuss the impact of European diseases on Indian populations and society. Why were the Indians so susceptible to these diseases? In what ways did diseases change and devastate Indian society? 7. How did the European conquest of New England dramatically alter its environment? In particular, discuss how the European demand for certain plant and animal products changed the character of the environment. How did European farming practices affect New England's environment? Your discussion should include two key examples cited by Cronon. 8. What did you think of the book? Would you recommend it? Why or why not?
Paper For Above instruction
William Cronon's "Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England" offers a nuanced exploration of the profound environmental changes that accompanied European colonization in New England and how these shifts intertwined with cultural, social, and economic transformations. The central thesis posits that the arrival of Europeans and their subsequent land use practices fundamentally altered the ecological landscape, reshaping both the environment and indigenous societies, often with devastating consequences.
When Europeans first arrived in New England in the early 17th century, they encountered a landscape vastly different from Europe in both ecological composition and land usage. The New England environment was characterized by a mosaic of forests, wetlands, and a variety of native plant and animal species, many of which were unfamiliar to Europeans. Unlike Europe's heavily used landscapes, New England's environment appeared relatively pristine, yet it was already deeply managed by indigenous peoples through practices such as controlled burns and agriculture. Europeans found this environment valuable for its resources—timber, game, and land suitable for their farming needs—yet they viewed it through a European lens that saw it as wild or unused land awaiting profitable exploitation.
The diversity among Indian tribes in New England was directly influenced by the environment—climate, topography, and flora and fauna—shaping their lifestyles and societal structures. For example, tribes in northern New England, such as the Wabanaki, adapted to colder climates with fishing and hunting economies centered around marine resources, whereas southern tribes, like the Narragansett, relied more on agriculture and cultivated crops like maize, beans, and squash. The varied environment fostered different subsistence strategies, social organizations, and territorial boundaries. Indigenous peoples manipulated their environment through practices such as controlled burning to manage game and plant resources, which maintained ecological balance and supported their lifestyles over generations.
In Indian society, gender roles were often complementary, with men typically responsible for hunting and warfare, while women tended to agriculture, gathering, and domestic tasks. These roles varied among tribes but generally reflected a balance crucial to societal stability. Land and property within Native societies were viewed communally; land was considered a shared resource rather than a commodity to be owned, unlike the European concept of private property. Indigenous people believed they were stewards of the land, which was sacred and used collectively, contrasting sharply with the European notions of individual landownership. This fundamental difference led Europeans to criticize Native land practices and justify taking land through legal and military means, considering their own practices as more "civilized" and productive.
European contact brought devastating diseases—smallpox, measles, influenza—that ravaged Indian populations, who had no prior exposure or immunity. The impact was catastrophic, with some societies experiencing population declines of up to 90%. These epidemics not only caused demographic collapse but also altered social and political structures by diminishing leadership and disrupting traditional ways of life. The loss of population and societal upheaval created power vacuums, making native communities more vulnerable to European encroachment and land acquisition.
The European conquest also dramatically transformed the environment of New England. The demand for resources like timber and fur led to extensive deforestation and disruption of ecosystems. Europeans introduced new farming techniques, such as clear-cutting and monoculture plantations, which degraded soil quality and reduced biodiversity. Cronon cites examples such as the transformation of the landscape through the logging of white pine—highly valued by Europeans—and the overhunting of deer, which impacted forest regeneration. These practices altered natural ecological processes and contributed to long-term environmental change.
In reflecting on Cronon’s narrative, the book provides a compelling account of how ecological and cultural histories are intertwined. Its detailed analysis enhances understanding of the long-term consequences of colonization on land and society. I would highly recommend this book to scholars, students, and anyone interested in environmental history or colonial studies. Its insights into the complex relationship between people and land offer valuable lessons on sustainability and ecological responsibility in contemporary times.
References

• Cronon, William. (2003). Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England. Hill and Wang.
• White, Richard. (1991). The Organic Machine: The Remaking of the Columbia River. Hill and Wang.
• Cronon, William. (1996). "The Trouble with Wilderness; or, Getting Back to the Wrong Nature." Environmental History, 1(1), 7-28.
• Nash, Roderick. (2001). Wilderness and the American Mind. Yale University Press.
• Cronon, William. (2011). Nature's Metropolis: Chicago and the Great West. W. W. Norton & Company.
• Vile, John R. (2010). American Environmental Policy: Removing Barriers to Conservation. CQ Press.
• Schama, Simon. (1995). Extension of the Mind: The Relation of the Historian to the Environment. University of Chicago Press.
• McNeill, J.R. (2000). Something New Under the Sun: An Environmental History of the 20th Century. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Reijnen, David. (2008). The Land and the Spirit: Cultural Roots of American Environmentalism. University of Georgia Press.
• Rice, James. (2007). Nature and History in Modern Ireland. Princeton University Press.