Boston, 1775

2016

100 million years ago.

The American environment is not "natural," but highly constructed.

1. Americans have always been shaped to conform to their environments;
2. Americans have altered the environments that they live in, often profoundly.

Migration

Teosinte

Machu Pichu

Cahokia

Hopi villages, 19th Century

Spanish North America

• Conversion of and, especially rule over Indians
• Extractive (silver)
• Town-and-mission oriented.

Santa Fe: 1607

Comanche rider

French Empire

• Small populations over vast areas
• Search for trading partners
• Fur *"Middle ground" of cooperation.

Quebec (1608)