What was a key reason for the conflict between Europeans and Native Americans regarding land ownership?

The correct answer highlights the fundamental difference in how Europeans and Native Americans perceived land ownership. Europeans viewed land primarily as a commodity that could be bought, sold, and independently owned. This concept revolved around individual property rights and the potential for land to generate wealth and resources.

In contrast, many Native American tribes understood land in a communal way, believing it was a shared resource not to be owned by individuals but rather to be used collectively. This perspective often involved practices of stewardship, where the land was cared for and respected as a part of the community's identity and survival.

This clash of values regarding land led to significant misunderstandings and conflicts. As European settlers expanded their territories, they often disregarded Native American concepts of land use and ownership. This tension over land rights was a key factor in the broader conflicts between these two cultures during the early encounters and subsequent colonization.