After exploring the Atlantic coast in the late sixteenth century, an Englishman writes in his journal about untouched wilderness. What could this description mean to a European?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The English belief in the concept of "terra nullius", or land belonging to no one, fueled their expansionist mindset and justification for colonizing the Americas. The phrase "untouched wilderness" implies a lack of human development, which would have made the English feel entitled to claim the land for themselves despite any possible presence of Native Americans.

After Exploring the Atlantic Coast in the Late Sixteenth Century