Food for Thought

The absence of “farm animals” in North America influenced the economy and culture of native people.

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“For Beasts there are some Beares…Also… several sorts of Deere.. Also Wolves, Foxes, Beavers, Otters…Great wild Cats, and a great Beast called a Molke (moose) as bigge as an Oxe.”

– Reverend Francis Higginson, describing North American animals, 1645

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English Puritans discussing church organization. In Massachusetts Puritans favored farming practices described in Old Testament passages.
- John Rogers Herbert — English Puritans discussing church organization. In Massachusetts Puritans favored farming practices described in Old Testament passages.
*- John Rogers Herbert*

Culture and Morality
Based on their interpretation of the Bible, English Puritans thought that land should be “enclosed” with walls and fences to separate cattle from crops. It should also be “improved” with permanent settlements. In contrast, native people moved with the seasons in pursuit of food. Spawning fish, migratory birds, and ripening fruits were found at varying times and places. The native custom of “mobility” was suspect by Puritans and judged to be morally wrong.

“An Act for the better Preservation and Increase of Deer within the Province”
The arrival of English colonists led to a sharp decline in the deer population through hunting and clearing land. This 1698 law belatedly recognized the problem and banned deer hunting from the last day of December to the first day of August.

A painting of a collection of animals and people said to be in the new world. The painting is entitled: "Peaceable Kingdom" — Over sixty versions of the “Peaceable Kingdom” were painted by David Hicks. While the animal population was not quite this diverse in seventeenth century Massachusetts, “new” European farm animals like cattle, sheep, goats, horses, and chickens appeared.
*- National Gallery of Art*

An Alternate View: Culture and Geography
Some animals, including sheep and cattle, can be domesticated. Others, such as wolves or even deer, cannot serve as farm animals. “Domestic” animals had evolved naturally in the Middle East and along similar latitudes in Europe and Asia. They were scarce in North America. In Europe, populations settled in for farming. Agricultural surpluses allowed new occupations to develop since fewer people were needed for hunting and gathering. Towns and cities emerged. In North America – lacking farm animals - mobility was necessary for survival.

Deer and other North American animals were not suited to European farming methods. - Abyss-Alpha — Deer and other North American animals were not suited to European farming methods. *- Abyss-Alpha*

Food for Thought: Culture Clash

The absence of “farm animals” in North America influenced the economy and culture of native people.