Question

After exploring the atlantic coast in the late sixteenth century, an englishman writes in his journal about untouched wilderness. what could this description mean to a european?

Answer 1

To a European, this description could mean that this land was not used by anyone. According to them, untouched wilderness meant that Native Americans didn't inhabit that area, which by extension meant that it belonged to the English, given that they were the ones to send this person to explore those parts.