Study Guide for Midterm: New England Environmental History PDF

Study Guide for Midterm: New England Environmental History Key Concepts & Terms 1. Phytogeographic Region ○ Definition: A region defined by the natural distribution of plant species. ○ Significance: The distribution of plant species in New England, such as oak and...

Study Guide for Midterm: New England Environmental History Key Concepts & Terms 1. Phytogeographic Region ○ Definition: A region defined by the natural distribution of plant species. ○ Significance: The distribution of plant species in New England, such as oak and pine forests, shows how local climate and soil conditions shaped the environment. For example, coastal forests versus inland forests have distinct plant species due to these factors. 2. Pleistocene Epoch ○ Definition: The period from 2.6 million to 11,700 years ago, marked by ice ages. ○ Significance: The Pleistocene shaped New England’s geography, such as rivers and lakes formed by glacial melt. For instance, the formation of Lake Champlain and the Connecticut River Valley was directly caused by the retreating glaciers. 3. Laurentide Ice Sheet ○ Definition: A massive ice sheet that covered much of North America, including New England, during the Pleistocene. ○ Significance: As the ice sheet retreated, it left behind landforms like Cape Cod and the Merrimack River. These landscapes provided important resources for early human settlement, such as fertile soil and water for agriculture. 4. Archaic People ○Definition: Early Native American groups who lived in the region from around 8,000 to 2,000 BCE. ○ Significance: The Archaic people adapted to post-ice age environments by using local resources, such as forests and rivers, for hunting, gathering, and fishing. Their settlements depended on the resources shaped by the retreating glaciers. 5. Susquehanna People ○ Definition: Early Native American groups from the northeastern U.S. ○ Significance: The Susquehanna people were skilled in utilizing the land for agriculture, hunting, and fishing, which helped shape early cultural practices in New England. 6. Early Woodland People ○ Definition: Native American groups from around 1,000 BCE known for early pottery and farming.  ○ Significance: They transitioned from a hunting-gathering lifestyle to farming, planting crops like squash and beans. This shift allowed for permanent villages to develop in New England. 7. Indigenous Knowledge ○ Definition: The deep understanding of ecosystems and land management developed by Indigenous peoples. ○ Significance: Indigenous knowledge influenced sustainable farming practices, such as the Three Sisters method (corn, beans, squash), which allowed for long-term agricultural success in New England. 8. Three Sisters ○ Definition: A farming technique that involves planting corn, beans, and squash together. ○ Significance: This method was sustainable, with the beans climbing the corn stalks and squash spreading on the ground to prevent weeds, creating a mutually beneficial system. 9. Culture ○ Definition: The practices, beliefs, and systems of a group of people. ○ Significance: Indigenous culture was deeply connected to the land. For example, Native people viewed themselves as caretakers of the land, practicing sustainable hunting, fishing, and agriculture to ensure resources for future generations. 10. “Seasons of Want and Plenty” ○ Definition: The cycle of abundance and scarcity in the natural environment. ○ Significance: Indigenous cultures adapted to these cycles by storing food in the fall and spring, managing resources in a way that reflected the natural rhythms of New England’s environment. 11. Abenaki People ○ Definition: A group of Native American tribes in New England and parts of Canada. ○ Significance: The Abenaki were skilled in hunting, fishing, and farming, and their deep understanding of the land allowed them to thrive in the diverse environments of New England. 12. “Asters and the Goldenrod” ○ Definition: A poem by Mary Oliver reflecting on New England’s natural beauty. ○ Significance: The poem highlights the connection between people and the land, emphasizing nature’s importance in shaping identity in New England. 13. Tragedy of the Commons  ○ Definition: The overuse of shared resources because individuals act in their own self-interest. ○ Significance: In New England, this concept was seen in early practices like overgrazing and excessive logging, leading to the need for regulation to prevent environmental degradation. 14. Raup Thesis & Donahue Thesis ○ Definition: Theories about the role of environment in cultural change. ○ Significance: The Raup Thesis suggests environmental factors, like climate, forced cultural change, while the Donahue Thesis argues that social factors played a more significant role. These theories explain how New England’s environment influenced settlement and development. 15. Puritan Culture ○ Definition: The religious and social practices of early European settlers in New England. ○ Significance: The Puritans viewed the land as a resource to be used for settlement and agriculture. Their land-clearing practices had lasting effects on the New England landscape. 16. Hiving Sequencing & European Settlement ○ Definition: European land allotment and settlement patterns. ○ Significance: European settlers organized land into "hives," impacting the environment by focusing on private land ownership and creating towns with defined borders, which influenced how New England communities developed. 17. “Soldier Townships” ○ Definition: Land grants given to soldiers for their service. ○ Significance: The creation of Soldier Townships led to land clearing for farming, changing the landscape and affecting the way resources were managed in New England. 18. The Merino Sheep Craze ○ Definition: The introduction of Merino sheep in New England for wool production. ○ Significance: The demand for wool led to overgrazing and deforestation, especially in the 19th century, impacting the region’s ecology. 19. Industrial Revolution in New England ○ Definition: The shift from agrarian economies to industrial economies in the 19th century. ○ Significance: The Industrial Revolution led to rapid urbanization and pollution, particularly in cities like Lowell, Massachusetts, where the Merrimack River was used to power mills, causing contamination. 20. Transcendentalism ○ Definition: A philosophical movement emphasizing nature, individualism, and self-reliance. ○ Significance: Transcendentalists, like Thoreau, critiqued industrialization and promoted a closer connection to nature. Thoreau’s Walden inspired later conservation efforts. 21. Merrimack River & Connecticut River ○ Definition: Two major rivers in New England. ○ Significance: These rivers played key roles in transportation and the economy, and they were central to early conservation efforts due to pollution concerns, such as the contamination of the Merrimack River by industrial waste. 22. Watershed ○ Definition: An area of land that drains into a specific body of water. ○ Significance: Understanding watersheds is important for managing water quality. The Connecticut River watershed, for example, is vital for both ecological health and human use. 23. 1972 Clean Water Act ○ Definition: U.S. law aimed at reducing water pollution. ○ Significance: The Clean Water Act led to significant improvements in water quality, especially in New England rivers like the Connecticut River, which had been polluted during the Industrial Revolution. 24. Elinor Ostrom’s Rules for Governing the Commons ○ Definition: A set of principles for managing shared resources sustainably. ○ Significance: Ostrom’s ideas influenced how New England’s common resources, such as fisheries and forests, were managed to prevent depletion through community-based regulations. 25. Jane Goodall ○ Definition: A primatologist known for studying chimpanzees. ○ Significance: Goodall’s research raised awareness about the need to protect ecosystems, influencing environmental movements globally, including in New England. 26. Robin Kimmerer ○ Definition: An Indigenous scientist and author known for her work on ecological restoration and Indigenous knowledge. ○ Significance: Kimmerer’s work emphasizes integrating Indigenous knowledge into modern environmental practices, which can inform New England’s approach to conservation and land management.  27. Henry David Thoreau ○ Definition: A philosopher and writer, best known for his book Walden. ○ Significance: Thoreau’s work promoted the value of nature and simple living, influencing environmental movements and conservation ethics in New England. Essay Prompts & Key Points 1. How did the landscape of New England shape the movement of people during the Pleistocene Epoch and the Archaic period? ○The retreat of glaciers created waterways and fertile lands that attracted both Indigenous peoples and later European settlers. Early human migration patterns were shaped by the availability of resources in these newly formed environments. 2. How did the Indigenous people adapt to the changing seasons of New England? ○ Indigenous peoples developed practices like seasonal hunting, fishing, and farming to adapt to New England's changing seasons. They used the Three Sisters farming technique to ensure food security throughout the year. 3. How did Indigenous peoples view their relationship with the land and how did that influence their practices? ○Indigenous cultures saw themselves as caretakers of the land, which led to sustainable practices like controlled burns and efficient farming methods. Their deep understanding of ecosystems allowed them to maintain balanced relationships with their environment. 4. What impact did Indigenous knowledge have on modern environmental practices? ○Indigenous knowledge offers valuable insights into sustainable land management, such as biodiversity conservation and ecosystem restoration. These practices are increasingly being integrated into modern environmental strategies, especially in New England. 5. How did regulations evolve to prevent the "Tragedy of the Commons" in New England? ○ Regulations, like fishing and hunting restrictions or land management practices, were introduced to prevent overuse of shared resources. These efforts were essential in maintaining the region’s natural resources for future generations.