Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England

In what ways were the Native Americans complicit in the alteration of New England’s ecosystem? Describe at least three ways in which the Native Americans contributed to the destruction of the ecosystem.

In what ways, if any, did the Native Americans fight the European settlers’ management of the land and animal husbandry practices? What were the results?

Why did the Europeans continue practices that damaged the environment, even after it was clear that their methods were ineffective or even dangerous to their own livelihoods? Explain at least three European land and animal management practices, such as depletion of the soil, overgrazing, and animal overcrowding, that led to environmental damage, and describe what results each damaging ecological practice produced.

How did the Native Americans’ and European settlers’ contrasting views of land ownership cause environmental disaster in New England during the pre-colonial period? Explain each group’s views and compare and contrast them with each other.

What factors helped the settlers take over the land from the Native peoples? Explain at least three such factors.

What were the European settlers’ opinions of the correct usage of the environment? What were the Native Americans’ opinions concerning the best use of the environment? How were these views similar or different? Explain.

What were some of the unintended consequences of European settlement? Name and describe at least three. Some suggestions include the introduction of European human diseases, European plant diseases, European cattle husbandry practices, European pig husbandry practices, and the induction of European weeds.

Why does Cronon state the following: “Ecological abundance and economic prodigality went hand in hand: the people of plenty were a people of waste” (p. 170)? What does this statement mean? Explain.