People Use Natural Resources to Build Homes, Raise Families and Develop Communities

1. People Use Natural Resources to Build Homes, Raise Families and Develop Communities

2. A LOOK AT HOW AMERICANS HAVE USED NATURAL RESOURCES TO CREATE THE INSTITUTION OF THE FAMILY People have a need to gather together to fulfill both emotional and physical needs. In primitive societies people needed one another just to survive in the world. One can see how various peoples have looked to their environment to create their basic needs of food and shelter.

3. Cincinnati, Ohio • In the picture of Cincinnati notice the city • developed along the river. • This is true for many cities. • People tended to make their homes • near water, near good soil and near some source • of natural material with which • they could build homes.

4. As societies developed, tools were created which made the use of more resources available for the people. As we study the evolution from primitive to complex societies we can easily see how people have used whatever materials were available to them to meet their needs. The role of the family has also evolved over time. A look at the relationships between male and female, parent and child, extended families and communities in general have evolved along through time as the societies have developed from primitive to complex.

5. We can learn a great deal about the use of natural resources for meeting our needs by looking at early civilizations such the Cahokia Indians of Cahokia Mounds in Cahokia, Illinois in the mid western part of the United States.

7. Early settlers also used available natural resources to build their homes and communities. Depending upon location, whatever resources were available determined what they ate, what kind of dwellings they made and ultimately effected the culture of their communities. Human relationships evolved from simple, work-related necessities to the complex relationships we observe and participate in today.

8. Dense forests provided logs to build wooden houses. • A model of a cabin like that of Abraham Lincoln’s boy hood home: • (this is a symbolic cabin) but a good example of how these early cabins were made into “cozy” homes. If you want to see more about Abraham Lincoln’s Birthplace or wish to see a better picture of the cabin, checkout: http://www/nps.;gov/abli/photosmultimedia/photogallery%2Ehtm?eid=166003&root_aid=274#e_166003

9. Sainte Genevieve, Missouri • In Ste. Genevieve, Missouri one can visit an original French Colonial Village. • The people settled along the Mississippi River where they made use of the water, fertile soil to grow their food, and abundant stone and forests to make logs and lumber for building their homes.

11. Other examples: • To see other examples of French colonial homes visit Sainte Genevieve, Missouri. • For more information: • http://www.ste-genevieve.com/histsite.htm

12. Today Americans are involved in very different activities than early Americans could ever have imagined. However, our society still depends upon natural resources to fulfill our needs.

13. Saint Louis, Missouri • This view of St. Louis, Missouri was taken from the top of Cahokia Mounds. • Consider the contrast of this picture with those of the primitive civilization of the Cahokia Indians. • Also, consider within this picture the agricultural activity taking place in the foreground contrasted with the very urban background figures.