Settlement FAQs

what environmental factors affect settlement patterns apush

by Susana Batz V Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

What are 3 geographic factors that affect or influence settlement?

  • 1 Physical Environment. One of the most basic factors affecting settlement patterns is the physical geography of the land.
  • 2 Transportation Systems. Settlement patterns have always been affected by the technology available to settlers, and especially by methods of transportation.
  • 3 Economic Concerns.
  • 4 Government Policies.

Full Answer

What factors affect settlement patterns?

Factors That Influence Settlement Patterns. Settlement patterns are the ways in which human settlements are distributed across the earth’s land, including the locations of cities, towns and even individual homes. Where people settle is determined by a wide range of factors related to both nature and human society.

What determines where people settle?

Where people settle is determined by a wide range of factors related to both nature and human society. Examining the reasons behind different settlement patterns is an important part of understanding the geography of the world we live in. One of the most basic factors affecting settlement patterns is the physical geography of the land.

Why did settlers move to the west in the 1800s?

In the 1800s, the American West and other parts of the world saw settlements spring up along the newly built railroads, and today highways and roads form an even bigger factor. Economics often drive settlers to seek opportunity in new places, creating their own settlements or increasing the size of existing ones.

How do government policies affect settlement patterns?

The government’s land policies can also have a lasting effect on settlement patterns. Today many city governments enforce zoning rules, controlling the growth of settlements by allowing people to live in some areas but not others.

How did the settlements of the 1800s affect the world?

Settlement patterns have always been affected by the technology available to settlers, and especially by methods of transportation. In the past, when boats were the best way to transport goods and people, most major settlements were located next to the sea or rivers. In fact, the world’s biggest cities today are still located next to water, though transportation technology has allowed inland regions to be populated too. In the 1800s, the American West and other parts of the world saw settlements spring up along the newly built railroads, and today highways and roads form an even bigger factor.

What is the pattern of settlement?

Settlement patterns are the ways in which human settlements are distributed across the earth’s land, including the locations of cities, towns and even individual homes. Where people settle is determined by a wide range of factors related to both nature and human society.

Why did settlers come to cities?

Historically, settlers often came in search of places to start farms, and later they came to cities to look for jobs.

Why is climate important for settlement?

One of the most basic factors affecting settlement patterns is the physical geography of the land. Climate is key, because if a place is too dry, too cold or too hot, it’s more difficult for large numbers of people to settle there, especially if they make their living from farming. The land itself is important too because some types of soil are much better for agriculture than others, or they support different types of crops. Though modern transportation allows people to settle farther from where their food is farmed, places with wet, mild climates are still more densely populated than places that are very dry or very cold.

Why did the colonists become self-sufficient?

The abundance of resources allowed the colonies to become self-sufficient and colonists became increasingly interested in capitalizing on the environment.

How did the Anglicization of England affect the colonies?

The continued Anglicization of England carried over to the colonies so that impeded an "American" identity and encouraged a common British bond. European immigration was from various different countries so settlers made distinct communities based on who they knew. The regional identity of NE, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern colonies hindered American identity. Slaves maintained their own culture with languages, motifs, etc. Yet, as Americans increased their economic power and felt the disrespect of England, they began to unite.

Why did the Puritans have 6-7 kids?

The families in NE were created from early marriages and often had 6-7 kids due to the disciplined habits and theocracy of the Puritans. Meanwhile, southern families had less kids and families were less common as semi-wealthy elites flocked to plantations for wealth. Slaves were better suited for plantation labor in the climate of the Chesapeake and the Carolinas so their population increased there rather than in the North.

What was the effect of the English Civil War and the Glorious Revolution?

The English Civil War (1649) and the Glorious Revolution (1688) allowed a new Parliament to take power and then increased involvement in foreign wars leads to decades of salutary neglect. Therefore, colonists resisted any tightening from the Crown.

What did the colonists resist?

The colonists resisted the Navigation Acts and continued to trade with the Dutch and French. Smuggling and bribing of custom officials continued at a high rate.

How was the Iroquois Confederacy strengthened?

o The Iroquois Confederacy was strengthened by its position between the French/Dutch

What was the key cash crop in Jamestown?

As tobacco became the key cash crop in Jamestown, wealthy plantation owners increasingly imported slaves. Additionally, the headright system was used to attract settlers in the South. In New England, Massachusetts Bay was founded as joint stock company that developed a fishing and port city (merchants) in Boston. In the Middle Colonies, a blended economy of farming, shipping, and finance emerged with Philadelphia growing quickly. Meanwhile, the French established the beaver trade.

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