Roosevelt's Conservation Policies and Impact

Before Theodore Roosevelt's presidency, the U.S. government did little to conserve natural resources. Exploitation led to deforestation, pollution, and overgrazing. Roosevelt opposed the belief that resources were endless and made conservation a key policy. He camped with John Muir in Yosemite, leading to more protected areas. Roosevelt appointed Gifford Pinchot to manage federal lands, balancing conservation and development. The National Reclamation Act funded irrigation projects, aiding agriculture. Roosevelt's efforts preserved millions of acres, creating national parks, monuments, and wildlife refuges.

What was the primary role of the U.S. Forest Service when it was established in 1887?

• To regulate mining activities

• To expand agricultural lands

• To conserve timberlands

• To promote industrial development

Which of the following was NOT a consequence of unchecked land development in the American West during the late 1800s?

• Pollution from mining

• Replanting of forests

• Overgrazing of the Great Plains

• Plowing of prairielands

What was a major environmental issue caused by cities across the country during the late 1800s?

• Air pollution

• Overfishing

• Deforestation

• River pollution

What was the significance of Roosevelt's visit to Yosemite National Park in 1903?

• He was convinced to preserve more land

• He banned all human activities in the park

• He established the first national park

• He discovered new species

Who did Roosevelt appoint to lead the U.S. Forest Service?

• John Muir

• Aldo Leopold

• Gifford Pinchot

• Henry David Thoreau

What was the purpose of the National Reclamation Act of 1902?

• To regulate mining activities

• To promote urban development

• To establish national parks

• To fund irrigation projects

What precedent did the National Reclamation Act of 1902 establish?

• Unrestricted mining rights

• State control over forests

• Federal management of water resources

• Private ownership of national parks

How many acres of forests did Roosevelt set aside during his presidency?

• 45 million acres

• 100 million acres

• 148 million acres

• 200 million acres

Which of the following was NOT created by Roosevelt's conservation efforts?

• National parks

• National monuments

• National highways

• National bird sanctuaries

What was a key outcome of Roosevelt's conservation policies?

• Increased industrial pollution

• Reduction in agricultural lands

• Preservation of natural beauty

• Expansion of urban areas