Environment and cultural changes inferred from the Occupation of Araucania (1862-1882). Rivers and forest as principal analysis

Abstract

The following work studies the relationship between human and environment originated from the occupation of the Araucanía by the Chilean state between 1862 and 1882. The analysis of historical documents would demostrate the relationship that the Chilean society had with the environment, specifically with rivers and forests. The results would show that the Chileans had a perception of the environment in wich it appeared subject to their designs, and which differed radically from the human perception that until then it had in the territory. The Chilean arrival submits to both forests and rivers a substantially different explotation in the area with respect to the past. Therefore, an unprecedented environmental and cultural change in the region of Araucanía is inferred from the state arrival.