Preserving the nation : the conservation and environmental movements, 1870-2000 / Thomas R. Wellock.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Wellock, Thomas Raymond.

Series:

American history series (Arlington Heights, Ill.)

The American history series

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Nature conservation--United States--History--20th century.

Nature conservation.

Environmentalism--United States--History--20th century.

Environmentalism.

Environmental conditions.

History.

United States.

United States--Environmental conditions--History--20th century.

Physical Description:

xii, 308 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations, portraits ; 21 cm.

Place of Publication:

Wheeling, Ill. : Harlan Davidson, Inc., [2007]

Summary:

In the popular imagination, the roots of environmentalism lie inactions undertaken at the beginning of the twentieth century toconserve the nation's natural resources and preserve itsscenic wonders. To some extent, those who have chronicledenvironmentalism have reinforced this perception, often writingabout the heroes who helped create national parks and save forestsrather than considering fundamental trends. Although most make somemention of reformers who stressed curbing pollution and urbanclean-up in the period after 1945, environmental histories rarelyintegrate the three strands of the movement into one comprehensivestudy. In Preserving the Nation, Thomas Wellock explores theinternational, rural, and industrial roots of modernenvironmentalism that emerged in the last half of the nineteenthcentury--three related movements in response to a rapidlyexpanding economy and population that depleted the nation'sresources, damaged land in rural areas, and blighted cities. Thefirst group favored the conservation and efficient management ofnatural resources for production. The second, the preservationists,sought to protect scenic and wilderness areas and to sustain thespirit of the nation's pioneer heritage and virility. Thethird group, the urban environmentalists, sought reform to controlindustrial pollution and retard urban decay. Politically powerfuland widely admired, resource management overshadowed the other twomovements until the 1950s. After World War II, the twoless-powerful strands of the movement, preservationism and urbanenvironmentalism, wove into one, as the accelerating effects ofaffluence, scientific discovery, Cold War concerns, andsuburbanization led the public to value outdoor amenities and ahealthy environment. This renamed "environmental"movement focused less on efficient use of resources and more oncreating healthy ecosystems and healthy people free of risks frompollution and hazardous wastes. By 1970, environmentalism enjoyedwidespread popular support and bipartisan appeal. What all three movements always shared was a common recognitionof the limits of America's natural resources and environment,a belief in preserving them for generations to come, and a faith inat least some government environmental action rather than relyingpurely on private solutions. Not only does the history of thesemovements bring to light much about the expanding role ofgovernment in environmental regulation and the growth of the modernAmerican state, but a look at environmental campaigns over thecourse of the twentieth century reveals a great deal about theracial, gender, and class divisions at work in the ongoing effortsto preserve the environment. Accessible, insightful, and highly affordable, Preserving theNation makes an ideal core text for use in courses in EnvironmentalHistory as well as thought-provoking supplemental reading forTwentieth-century America and the U.S. survey.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages 253-286) and index.

ISBN:

0882952544

9780882952543

OCLC:

80359471