Final answer:
The core difference between European and native understandings of land revolved around private ownership, with Europeans claiming land as their own, leading to conflict and changes in the native way of life.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main differences between the Europeans' and native peoples' understanding of land and wealth centered on the concept of ownership. Native peoples traditionally saw land as a resource to be used communally, neither owning it nor erecting permanent structures or fences that signified personal property. In contrast, Europeans arrived with a mindset of private ownership, erecting houses, fences, and other markers to claim the land as their own. This difference led to significant conflict, as the native way of life was disrupted, and access to natural resources was curtailed by European settlements. Additionally, the influx of European commodities and weapons initiated profound changes in native societies, altering trade, warfare, and the balance of power among tribes.