Final answer:
The European view of land as private property clashed with Native American beliefs in communal land use, leading to conflict. Europeans established permanent settlements and fences, disrupting native lifestyles. Wars and tensions arose as Europeans demanded more land and exerted cultural pressures on Native Americans.
Step-by-step explanation:
European vs Native American Land Use and Conflict
The conflict between European settlers and Native Americans over land use has deep roots in the differing views each culture held. Native American cultures did not have a concept of land ownership; they believed the land was communal and resources were for all to use. Conversely, European settlers from a Christian heritage believed in private ownership of land and subduing the environment as a divine right. As colonists built permanent structures and fenced off property, the freedom of movement and lifestyle of the Native Americans was threatened, leading to disputes and violent confrontation.
As European settlers established homes and farms, they fenced in areas and let domestic animals roam free, disrupting traditional native practices and causing further disputes when Native Americans treated these loose animals like game. As more settlers arrived, demanding even more land--often without understanding or respecting indigenous land practices--conflict was inevitable. Wars such as the Pequot War, King Philip's War, and others were fueled by these rapidly growing cultural and practical differences in land use, ultimately leading to tragic outcomes for the Native Americans.
Additionally, European settlers imposed expectations on Native Americans, such as converting to Christianity and trade relations that resulted in shifts of power within and between tribes due to the introduction of European goods and weapons. The incorporation of European materials like firearms, textiles, and metal tools into Native American life also reshaped traditional practices and social balances.
The concept of private property was so alien to Native Americans that they often didn't resist European claims until it was too late. The arrival of various European powers further complicated these relations, as their goals of conquest, conversion, and control of resources increased tensions and often resulted in the overwhelming of native populations by force.