Cronon Worksheet
History 2110 Reading Worksheet
William Cronon, Changes in the Land
Native Americans
1. How did the Native Americans occupy the land? What did they do to take possession and mark ownership?
They occupied the land by moving with the seasons. They made temporary settlements around whatever resource they were needed an when that season changed or they no longer needed the resource or it was depleted they would move on and do the same thing elsewhere.
2. How did their “occupation” influence the natural development of the landscape? How did they change the land they occupied?
The Indians would cooperate with the seasons instead of trying to do something that they couldn’t during the season. Therefore, by working with instead of against the seasons they didn’t have a large influence on the landscape. Since they worked with the seasons they would move whenever the resource they needed was not in season. Therefore they wouldn’t stay in one place too long to create a large impact.
3. Did the Native Americans have a concept of land ownership? If so, what was it? What did it mean to own the land for a Native American?
For the most part Native Americans didn’t have a concept of land ownership. The tribes were very mobile and didn’t stay in one place. They moved from place to place along with the seasons so everything was made so that it could be mobile and could be moved when needed. They did not believe in owning the land however they believe that they should live off of the land.
4. How did the Native Americans use the land they occupied? What did they consider good use for land? Bad use?
Native Americans used the land that they had to survive. They moved around seasons to season in order to get the resources that they needed. They would fish if there was a water source around or if there were a lot of land or a forest they would hunt. They considered food and home a good use for land; anywhere they
William Cronon, Changes in the Land
Native Americans
1. How did the Native Americans occupy the land? What did they do to take possession and mark ownership?
They occupied the land by moving with the seasons. They made temporary settlements around whatever resource they were needed an when that season changed or they no longer needed the resource or it was depleted they would move on and do the same thing elsewhere.
2. How did their “occupation” influence the natural development of the landscape? How did they change the land they occupied?
The Indians would cooperate with the seasons instead of trying to do something that they couldn’t during the season. Therefore, by working with instead of against the seasons they didn’t have a large influence on the landscape. Since they worked with the seasons they would move whenever the resource they needed was not in season. Therefore they wouldn’t stay in one place too long to create a large impact.
3. Did the Native Americans have a concept of land ownership? If so, what was it? What did it mean to own the land for a Native American?
For the most part Native Americans didn’t have a concept of land ownership. The tribes were very mobile and didn’t stay in one place. They moved from place to place along with the seasons so everything was made so that it could be mobile and could be moved when needed. They did not believe in owning the land however they believe that they should live off of the land.
4. How did the Native Americans use the land they occupied? What did they consider good use for land? Bad use?
Native Americans used the land that they had to survive. They moved around seasons to season in order to get the resources that they needed. They would fish if there was a water source around or if there were a lot of land or a forest they would hunt. They considered food and home a good use for land; anywhere they