Landscape, Wilderness, and Settlement History

Vocabulary flashcards reviewing concepts of human settlement, environment, and social history based on the lecture notes.

Landscape

Land shaped and modified by humans for permanent occupation, agriculture, manufacturing, government, and worship, reflecting an equilibrium between nature and human forces through premeditation and traditional design.

Wilderness

Untouched nature, such as forests, swamps, and mountains, which was viewed before the 1800s as chaotic, dangerous, and scary.

Cityscape

A built city where human buildings completely cover up nature.

Evolution of Farming

The transition of agricultural practice from traditional family-run farming focused on community stability to commercialized business farming.

Evolution of Manufacturing

The transformation of production from local blacksmiths and millers into factory-style production by the 1800s.

Mid-1800s Shift in Perception of Nature

A change in perspective from early settlers fearing wild nature due to risks of getting lost, wild animals, and dangerous outlaws, to viewing nature as peaceful and refreshing.

Landschaften

Traditional European villages designed as clusters of homes surrounded by farm fields, with wild nature outside the borders.

Stead

A permanent house with a yard and farm buildings, indicating that the occupant was an established owner with legal rights in the community rather than a temporary worker.

Roland

A symbolic pillar or post placed in a town center to represent local law and order.

Highways and Roads

Transportation routes that connected isolated villages to bigger cities and markets, expanding trade, introducing travelers and merchants, and altering interactions with strangers.