The geography of the native America

The Impact of Geography and Location on European Settlers and Native Americans

The terrain of native America presented colonial settlers with a fresh range of intriguing but often brutal surroundings. In light of this, geographical characteristics such as terrain, climate, soils, and the abundance of natural resources were important determinants of settlement choice. A suitable geography and location are frequently required to support agriculture, trade, or industry.

Colonization on the East Coast

The first colonists arrived on the east coast, a region distinguished by economic and cultural diversity. The Atlantic Ocean was the primary mode of transport from Europe to America. The sea was exploited by the colonizers to deliver food, steel, and other industrial materials. Besides the choice of settlement, geography and location substantially impacted the relationship of the European visitors with the Native Americans.

Settlements and Geography

The meeting between the settlers and the natives in the south coast had mutual benefits. However, harsh winter seasons made it impossible to build enduring settlements and thus they lived in temporary shelters. Following the settlers interests in fishing, irrigation farming, and water transport, most settlements were established near rivers, seas, and lakes. Topography inhibited much development in the English colonies since mountains and hills enclosed them. For instance, the Appalachian Mountains restricted the settlers from moving beyond the shorelines and thus penetrating westwards became impossible. Moreover, the settlers on the east coast were British, and it would be impossible for them to be accepted in French and Spanish territories. On the other hand, the north and south had a roughly flat landscape that allowed multiple activities. The south had a warm and wet climate that supported sugar cane, besides other cash crops. Its topography of was flat, and thus Spanish settlers practiced large-scale farming. In addition, many colonists originated from a poor background. Therefore, they were attracted by the massive lands in this region. The south also attracted Europeans because of its abundant labor from African slaves that enabled them to produce food for both consumption and sale. Many European settlers and natives stumbled upon many challenges including diseases and wars, which caused many deaths. Therefore, slave workforce compensated the shortages triggered by the high death rate in the region.

The Appeal of Mid-Atlantic and New England

The versatility of the anchorages in the mid-Atlantic region appealed immigrants. The natives were friendly to the Europeans and this eased settlement and trade. Towns grew around the harbors and expanded towards interior to create space for more living and farming. Another region that appealed European pilgrims is the New-England. It had many hills, rocky landscape, temperate summers and prolonged chilly winters that favored fishing and fur trade, which eventually prompted shipbuilding. The vast forests and demand for shipbuilding material lead to lumber industries. The region also favored artisans and traders due to the developing industries and trade centers. Farming was challenging due to the wintry climate, and yet, colonizers enjoyed it due to the low prevalence of diseases and deaths. The northern region attracted European colonizers despite its less fertile land. This motivated European visitors who sought for religious freedom. The inhabitants practiced small-scale farming, craftsmanship, and merchandise.

Conclusion

It is evident that geography and location profoundly impacted the relationship between European settlers and Native Americans. This is because the two factors determined the nature of livelihood in the new land. They predisposed the type of economic activity, eating habits, clothing, and even accessibility to various opportunities. Geographical aspects also triggered the growth of some towns and determined their level of yields. Therefore, geography and location impacted the relationship between the European settlers and Native Americans.

Bibliography

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McFarlane, Anthony. The British In The Americas, 1480-1815. 2nd ed. Abingdon: Routledge, 2014.

Paquette, Gabriel B. Enlightened Reform In Southern Europe And Its Atlantic Colonies, C. 1750-1830. Abingdon: Routledge, 2016.

Pastore, Christopher L. Between Land And Sea: The Atlantic Coast And The Transformation Of New England. 1st ed. Cambridge, MA: Harvard University Press, 2014.