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Changes in the Land
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Changes in the Land (1983) (edit title/settings)

Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England

by William Cronon (Author) (edit contributors)

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Description edit see section history

The book that launched environmental history now updated. Winner of the Francis Parkman Prize In this landmark work of environmental history, William Cronon offers an original and profound explanation of the effects European colonists' sense of property and their pursuit of capitalism... read more

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Summary edit see section history

The Europeans had great effects on the ecology through a combination of factors consisting of economics, politics, and biology. Cronon makes sure to show that the Indians helped cause the changes in the environment as they were effected by the evolving global system they had fallen into. Most... read more (warning: may contain spoilers)

The Europeans had great effects on the ecology through a combination of factors consisting of economics, politics, and biology. Cronon makes sure to show that the Indians helped cause the changes in the environment as they were effected by the evolving global system they had fallen into. Most Indians were not passive in response to the changes, but Cronon isn't sure that the Indians utilized all possible resources when dealing with the situation. In the end, he refers back to the subject matter which runs throughout the book; the opposing views of the Indians and the colonists on various topics, from resources to the market. The Indians had to react to changing economies based on land property and wealth, as opposed to subsistence and the use of the land. But the colonists struggled with this as well. Seeing the Indians lack of wealth in a limitless sea of resources, the colonists used the resources according to their own views of property and wealth. Throughout Changes in the Land, Cronon gives a flexible view of why changes occurred in New England and how this “dynamic and unstable process” changed the cultures, politics and economy (Cronon 170). Changes in the Land documents how the environment can alter, and can be considered a warning to future generations about how easily small changes can have a large effect on the world.

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First Sentence edit see section history

On the morning of January 24, 1855, Henry David Thoreau sat down with his journal to consider the ways in which his Concord home had been altered by more than two centuries of European settlement.

Themes & Symbolism edit see section history

  • Individual v. Collective Ownership of Land: Fascinating look at how early American colonists carried their views of bounded, fenced-in, individual land ownership with them from England and how these views clashed with the more communal based Native American population's traditions.

Authors & Contributors edit see section history

  1. William Cronon (Author)

First Edition edit see section history

Original Language: English
Publisher: Hill and Wang
Country: USA
Publication Date: 1983
ISBN: 0809034050
Page Count: 251

Classification edit see section history

  • Library of Congress: GF504.N45 C76 1983
  • Dewey: 304.20974

Books That Cite This Book edit see section history

   
  • What Is Environmental History?
  • Uncommon Ground

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