The Niagara Falls in Buffalo, New York is recognized for its sublimity and resourcefulness. The waterfall connects Canada and the United States, being a tourist attraction in both countries and a shared resource. The history of this geographical area tells a story of how humanity shapes and is shaped by the environment. From the early 1600s with the habitation of the Neutral Indians in this area, the story of development and destruction follow man wherever he goes. The Neutral Indians in this area settled on the Niagara River for ease of transport and water usage. They farmed, traded, and made business with the early white settlers of the region. As peaceful contact was established with the tribes, the development of the area increased. The water, used mutually for fishing and farming, was a vital resource. During the industrial revolution, development of the area ravaged …show more content…
The Niagara Falls Hydraulic Power and Manufacturing Company located in Niagara Falls, New York was the first power company to direct electricity to the city from the falls. The mills and electric companies were built right along side the river. The waste and pollution formed from the cities and the factories alike were directly deposited into the river. The force of the water and the surrounding environment soak up the chemical spills and the sewage that the people create. Therefore, the Boundary Waters Treaty of 1909 was signed between Canada and the United States. As indicated by the treaty, a list of priorities should be enforced by the two countries in regard to boundary waters. “Uses for domestic and sanitary purposes; Uses for navigation, including the service of canals for the purposes of navigation; Uses for power and for irrigation purposes.” The treaty explicitly limits the destruction or overuse of the environment, not for aesthetic reasons, but for conservation and peace between two
Cronon, William. Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England. New York: Hill and Wang, 1983. Print.
...style they only used what they needed to for survival. The different lifestyles determined the different environmental uses of the land. Although, culture however, encouraged trade. The Europeans and Indians made alliances from the trade market, which changed the Indian lifestyle. The Indians now had prices for objects that never had a price before. The market trade would become damaging to the Indians way of life, which the Indians where unaware of. When the Europeans came to New England they didn’t just change the environment of the land, plants and animals, but also changed the lifestyle of the Indians already living there. Europeans turned New England into a form of global capitalist economy, changing New England forever.
A small archipelago off the northwest coast of Britsh Columbia is known as the “islands of the people.” This island is diverse in both land and sea environment. From the 1700’s when the first ship sailed off its coast and a captain logged about the existence, slow attentiveness was given to the island. Its abundance, in both natural resources physical environment, and its allure in the concealed Haida peoples, beckoned settlers to come to the island. Settlers would spark an era of prosperity and catastrophe for the native and environmental populations.
The development of the transcontinental railroad was the most devastating technological development that affected the Plains Indians. Although the railroad was powerful and helpful to the white man, it was not for the Plains Indians. The transcontinental railroad was the reason why the westward movement of the white man happened so quickly. With the white man moving westward they found valuable land for agricultural, which to be the Plains Indians land, and they found a lot of gold mines. During the time of the building of the transcontinental railroad a lot of white man killed the buffalo. They found that as a sport, and even to use it to harm the Plains Indians. At that time the buffalo was a main source of food, fur, and a hunting lifestyle for the Plains Indians and by the white man killing it off it effectively hurt them. The white man killed the buffalo in large amount of numbers that they almost made them go instinct, and they hurt the Plains Indians huge. Although the Plains Indians did kill the buffalo for their food and furs, their hunting did not have a large impact on the buffalo population. Also, the transcontinental railroad went through the land that the Plains Indians lived on. They were forced to move into smaller areas that were designated by the government. A lot of wars happened over this issue, and over the issue of gold being on their land.
Settlers in the Chesapeake region used force to take possession of Indian lands. The Chesapeake region of the colonies included Virginia, Maryland, the New Jerseys and Pennsylvania. In 1607, Jamestown (the first English colony in the New World) was founded by a group of settlers along the James River. And because the colony was near water, the Pilgrims had a great advantage. They created a society that was full of companies interested in profiting from the natural resources of the New World. They also turned to the local Powhatan Indians, who taught them the process of corn- and tobacco-growing. These staple-crops flourished throughout all five of these colonies. After the ship arrived, John Smith’s main concern was to “dig gold, refine gold, and load gold” but there was no g...
How Did The Environment Affect The Native American Indians With Particular Reference To The Woodland Indians?
They landed in Virginia unaware of the treacherous winter that was nearing. They found out very quickly that the heavenly narrative was quite the opposite. Staying alive was hard for many, especially when the first winter came. A staggering amount of people died the first winter even with the helping hand of the Native Americans. Edward portrayed the relationship between the two groups as peaceful as the Native Americans took the settlers under their wing. He noted that “The old planters (as they thought now come to reape the benefit of their long travels) placed with wonderful content upon their private dividends, and the planting of particular Hundreds and Colonies pursed with a hopeful alacrity, all our projects…in a faire way, and their familiarity with the natives, seeming to open a faire gate for their conversation to Christianitie.” This demonstrates that there was no tension between the settlers and Native Americans. The hospitality shows courteous relationship they shared with one another. Gary Nash shares the same stance of a peaceful friendship when he wrote about trade, stating that “Only a friendly Indian could be a trading Indian. If trade was key to overseas development, then English promoters logically suggested that the Indian might be receptive and generous- a person who could be wooed and won to the advantages of trade.” In other words, there was conflict with one another due
Imagine a scenic, wild landscape with animals that roam freely, cascading waterfalls, and mountains that seem to scrape the pale blue sky. This is what one thinks when first hearing the name Yosemite National Park. Unfortunately, the reality is completely opposite. Yosemite is now under a federally regulated Class 1 area under the Clean Air Act, which is equivalent to the pollution of Los Angeles (“National Parks Service”). It is a sad comparison to the past John Muir, who first documented Yosemite Valley, to today’s reality. The condition of Yosemite National Park should be introduced to the American public in order to protect its historic beauty and significance, eliminate current pollution, and prevent future repercussions.
The city of Syracuse has many opportunities to offer its citizens. It is imperative to know what opportunities are available in order to get the most out of life in Central New York.
James M. McClurken writes the first section, which deals with the Ottawa people. McClurken tells about the Ottawa peoples’ relationship with the environment they lived in and how they adapted to change when contacted by Europeans. One thing I found interesting about the Ottawa is their beliefs. The Ottawa believed in respect for the individual. Their leaders represented the people much like our elected officials represent us when a decision is needed for the whole of the country. They are in tune with nature and consider the earth and animals part of their family, addressing them with “father,” “mother,” “brother,” “sister.” The Ottawa’s also amazed me at their ability to believe in the supernatural, the spirits that told what sickness a person has and the healing power of the firewalkers is a leap of faith. I am always amazed that people survived without Advil and Tums, and they didn’t just survived they thrived! The Ottawa were great traders, in fact they traded all over northern Michigan. A surprising fact I read in the section was of the fleecing of the Indian...
Next, the location was perfect for the trade. It was close to the Mississippi river where trading ports were located. Third, there are many resources such as gold, fertile soul, and water. Finally, the American settlers had old grudges with the Native Americans due to the fact that they sided with the British during the Revolutionary War and slaughtered many American colonists. For many reasons, the American settlers wanted Indian land for their own gain.
They were warlike and went out on expeditions to places in New Brunswick, Massachusetts, parts of Maine, and the north shore of Lake Huron. Excursions have been documented all the way to Ohio-Mississippi valley. “’The character of all these [Iroquois] Nations is warlike and cruel,’ wrote Jesuit missionary Paul Le Jeune in 1657.” (Richter, 528) They had different purposes for war than Europeans did. Thus, since the Europeans did not understand the similarities and differences, they were called savage. The Iroquois did not wage war all the time though. The Hudson Bay Company and the Northwestern Fur Company employed Iroquois as canoe men; they were also employed by private enterprises connected with the fur trade or exploration. The Iroquois employed by the Hudson Bay Company “are reputed to have been the most expert in the country, and many stories are told of their skill and spirit of adventure.” (Chamberlain, 460) They also hunted beaver for corporations, sometimes with their families with them. Iroquois were employed as “canoe men, guides, carriers, and voyagers in the service of the Hudson Bay Company.” (Chamberlain, 460) Some of the Iroquois went as far as the Rocky Mountains, where they stayed and brought their culture with them. As time passed though, they mixed cultures until one could hardly tell they were part Iroquois. They did bring dug-outs, the crossbow, and teaching of the Jesuit fathers to
Thus, the connection with nature, describes Richard Higgins on Thoreau, was through “[f]ive characteristic [that] were with his eye, his heart, his muse, and his soul” (HIGGINS 35). Thoreau was delighted with nature and trees in particular, for they were his friends whose appearance and demeanor spoke to him. Similarly, Fuller finds this connection, but is more overwhelmed than is Thoreau. Fuller, speaking on Niagara Falls, writes that “(a)fter awhile it so drew me into itself as to inspire and undefined dread, such as I never knew before, such as may be felt when death is about to usher us into a new existence” (Fuller 4). Nature speaking on different grounds and through different, but yet connected senses, and through the conscious and unconsciousness only add to the experience of becoming one with nature. Fuller further observes the connection that nature has with humans. She observes that when she expresses, “The tall trees bent and whispered all around, as if to hail with sheltering love the men who had come to dwell among them” (Fuller 24). As the trees spoke Thoreau and Fuller listened, as their moment became one with nature their soul became
This past June, I was given the opportunity to travel to Canada and see the expansive falls with my own eyes. Perhaps the most amazing aspect of the falls is that they are not in some far away place in the country. They are right smack in the middle of a town, the town of Niagara Falls. As a child, I envisioned the falls as a giant rushing shower of water. However, I could never have imagined the great beauty and breathtaking view the falls offer.
Niagara Falls reigns as one of the most popular tourist attractions in all of New York. Known as a series of three parts that connect the border between the United States and Canada, Niagara Falls holds a lot of tourism potential as the world’s second largest waterfall at 3,950 feet wide (Conservative Institute). Even so, many people venture from all over the world to see its wonders and stare in awe at its grandness and beauty. The three parts that together make up this major landmark include the Bridal Veil Falls, the American Falls, and Horseshoe Falls. Both the Bridal Falls and the American Falls lie completely on United States territory, while the Horseshoe Falls lies on the border between the United States and Canada (History.com Staff, 2010). Over the years, Niagara Falls has been a subject of many topics, including its formation, discovery,