Changes In The Land William Cronon Summary
The text “Changes In The Land” by William Cronon is an accurate depiction of the alteration in ecology in New England during the colonial period. The book carefully describes how the Indians had been influencing their environment in a significant yet sustainable manner many years before the Europeans came to colonize New England. Cronon explains the idea of how commodity shaped the differences between western and native land practices. He has the ability to tell this story from both perspectives in a correct and clearly understandable fashion. He illustrates that the misunderstanding between two races eventually led to the fall of the Indians. Cronon constantly calls upon many records and scientific reports to support his arguments on the
…show more content…
When the colonists’ first started settling, there was plenty of everything. The Europeans took advantage of this and started producing or using in excess such as furs, wood, and crops to sell to others. This fundamental difference was that natives did not have much want for “things” and they didn’t place much value in materials, so consequently the colonists viewed them as “people devoid of wealth and comfort” (Cronon, pg. 79.). Cronon says that they Europeans “… brought the concept of value and scarcity which had been shaped by the social and ecological circumstances of northern Europe, and so perceived New England as natural great wealth.”(Cronon, pg. 168.). In this way the natives were alienated from the land and ways they have lived in for many years. The Europeans exploited the lands to provide themselves with what they needed but also export many goods to Europe. This created a complex trading system with the natives, colonists and Europeans. This trading system saw the alienation of natives, many animals, and the change in landscape, but also brought wealth to many colonists. As the demand rose for many commodities so did the expansion of colonist pastoralism. Much land changed because of the capitalist ways of the Europeans. Because of this capitalist system that was used Cronon mentions, “Capitalism and environmental degradation went hand in hand.” (Cronon, pg. 161.). The rise in capitalism saw the alienation of natives, animals, and a drastic change in landscape. Trade eventually lost much of its power because of the deterioration of the environment, and consequently, the natives didn’t have much to live off of and their numbers fell once again. I think Cronon does a superb job of explaining how commodity shaped the differences of western and native lands and cultures. Along with detailed information, there seems to be no bias towards the natives or
When the colonists’ first started settling, there was plenty of everything. The Europeans took advantage of this and started producing or using in excess such as furs, wood, and crops to sell to others. This fundamental difference was that natives did not have much want for “things” and they didn’t place much value in materials, so consequently the colonists viewed them as “people devoid of wealth and comfort” (Cronon, pg. 79.). Cronon says that they Europeans “… brought the concept of value and scarcity which had been shaped by the social and ecological circumstances of northern Europe, and so perceived New England as natural great wealth.”(Cronon, pg. 168.). In this way the natives were alienated from the land and ways they have lived in for many years. The Europeans exploited the lands to provide themselves with what they needed but also export many goods to Europe. This created a complex trading system with the natives, colonists and Europeans. This trading system saw the alienation of natives, many animals, and the change in landscape, but also brought wealth to many colonists. As the demand rose for many commodities so did the expansion of colonist pastoralism. Much land changed because of the capitalist ways of the Europeans. Because of this capitalist system that was used Cronon mentions, “Capitalism and environmental degradation went hand in hand.” (Cronon, pg. 161.). The rise in capitalism saw the alienation of natives, animals, and a drastic change in landscape. Trade eventually lost much of its power because of the deterioration of the environment, and consequently, the natives didn’t have much to live off of and their numbers fell once again. I think Cronon does a superb job of explaining how commodity shaped the differences of western and native lands and cultures. Along with detailed information, there seems to be no bias towards the natives or