Changes in the Land
Reading Worksheet
William Cronon, Changes in the Land
History 2110
Indians
1. How did the Indians occupy the land?
The northern Indians occupied the land much differently from those who lived in the south. The land was drier in the north, and the soil not as fertile, so agriculture was not a main source of subsistence. All Indians relied greatly on mobility throughout the seasons for survival. Those in the south were able to stay in one place for longer however because of the fertility of the soil and its ability to sustain agricultural needs. The women were mostly in charge of these needs, along with starting fires, making mats for wigwams, and caring for children. The fires, which were also more popular in the south, allowed for secondary succession and revitalized soil with nutrients for new plant life. Their purpose was also to clear the land for hunting and in retrospect, created the unique ecological pattern of the land that allowed for so much succession, creating ideal habitats for a host of wildlife species.
2. How did their “occupation” influence the natural development of the landscape?
Selective Indian burning thus promoted the mosaic quality of New England ecosystems, creating forests in many different states of ecological succession. In particular, ‘the edge effect’ enlarged edge areas that actually raised the total herbivorous food supply; they not merely attracted game, but helped create much larger populations of it. The land became more open with fewer weeds, and allowing more sunlight to promote growth. These open areas made hunting easier, sometimes with the intentional planting of shrubs lining a pathway for herds to fall into a trap of a few hundred hunters waiting on the other side.
3. Did the Indians have a concept of land ownership? If so, what was it? What did it mean to own the land for an Indian?
Their concept of land ownership is not as well understood because the colonists really never cared what the Indians
William Cronon, Changes in the Land
History 2110
Indians
1. How did the Indians occupy the land?
The northern Indians occupied the land much differently from those who lived in the south. The land was drier in the north, and the soil not as fertile, so agriculture was not a main source of subsistence. All Indians relied greatly on mobility throughout the seasons for survival. Those in the south were able to stay in one place for longer however because of the fertility of the soil and its ability to sustain agricultural needs. The women were mostly in charge of these needs, along with starting fires, making mats for wigwams, and caring for children. The fires, which were also more popular in the south, allowed for secondary succession and revitalized soil with nutrients for new plant life. Their purpose was also to clear the land for hunting and in retrospect, created the unique ecological pattern of the land that allowed for so much succession, creating ideal habitats for a host of wildlife species.
2. How did their “occupation” influence the natural development of the landscape?
Selective Indian burning thus promoted the mosaic quality of New England ecosystems, creating forests in many different states of ecological succession. In particular, ‘the edge effect’ enlarged edge areas that actually raised the total herbivorous food supply; they not merely attracted game, but helped create much larger populations of it. The land became more open with fewer weeds, and allowing more sunlight to promote growth. These open areas made hunting easier, sometimes with the intentional planting of shrubs lining a pathway for herds to fall into a trap of a few hundred hunters waiting on the other side.
3. Did the Indians have a concept of land ownership? If so, what was it? What did it mean to own the land for an Indian?
Their concept of land ownership is not as well understood because the colonists really never cared what the Indians