Environment: The Road Through History
Check out the resources below to help you explore how the environment and uses of resources have changed through history.
1600s and 1700s
In the 1600s, the first settlers from Europe were arriving in America and creating settlements. This eventually led to the original thirteen colonies being established. These colonies were located on the east coast of North America. They were located between the Atlantic Ocean and The Appalachian Mountain range. Because they were settled all along the east coast, they are categorized by different regions: The New England Colonies, The Middle Colonies, and The Southern Colonies.
The New England Colonies had rocky, sandy land. They also had many forests and hills. This made farming difficult. What they were able to grow was only done for about 5 months of the year because the winters were very long, cold, and harsh. To make up for this, they utilized natural resources in the area. They would fish and catch whales. These would be used for food and to make products. They also cut down trees to make homes, buildings, and even boats. The amount of forests and types of trees also gave them the ability to make and trade maple syrup. Additionally, they would hunt for food and use the furs from the animals to trade for other products.
The middle colonies had soil that was richer and more fertile. They also received a lot of rain and plenty of sunlight. These conditions were ideal for growing. They could sell and trade the crops that they harvested, such as wheat and corn. They would also hunt animals such as deer and beaver, which would be used for food and fur to trade. They were not as close to the ocean, so they would instead fish in the rivers. It was also common to raise animals such as cows and pigs. The Middle Colonies also had iron ore and coal, which would eventually become very important resources.
Because of the warmer weather in the Southern Colonies, they were able to farm for the majority of the year. The soil was very rich and fertile, so small farms were very common. They grew things such as tobacco, cotton, and rice. They would use these items for their own purposes, and they would also trade. They would also fish and hunt.
The colonies would trade with England and Africa. They would trade their natural resources for goods from England and slaves from Africa. Slaves were especially common in The Southern Colonies because of the amount of farming that was done.
In the 1600s, the first settlers from Europe were arriving in America and creating settlements. This eventually led to the original thirteen colonies being established. These colonies were located on the east coast of North America. They were located between the Atlantic Ocean and The Appalachian Mountain range. Because they were settled all along the east coast, they are categorized by different regions: The New England Colonies, The Middle Colonies, and The Southern Colonies.
The New England Colonies had rocky, sandy land. They also had many forests and hills. This made farming difficult. What they were able to grow was only done for about 5 months of the year because the winters were very long, cold, and harsh. To make up for this, they utilized natural resources in the area. They would fish and catch whales. These would be used for food and to make products. They also cut down trees to make homes, buildings, and even boats. The amount of forests and types of trees also gave them the ability to make and trade maple syrup. Additionally, they would hunt for food and use the furs from the animals to trade for other products.
The middle colonies had soil that was richer and more fertile. They also received a lot of rain and plenty of sunlight. These conditions were ideal for growing. They could sell and trade the crops that they harvested, such as wheat and corn. They would also hunt animals such as deer and beaver, which would be used for food and fur to trade. They were not as close to the ocean, so they would instead fish in the rivers. It was also common to raise animals such as cows and pigs. The Middle Colonies also had iron ore and coal, which would eventually become very important resources.
Because of the warmer weather in the Southern Colonies, they were able to farm for the majority of the year. The soil was very rich and fertile, so small farms were very common. They grew things such as tobacco, cotton, and rice. They would use these items for their own purposes, and they would also trade. They would also fish and hunt.
The colonies would trade with England and Africa. They would trade their natural resources for goods from England and slaves from Africa. Slaves were especially common in The Southern Colonies because of the amount of farming that was done.
- www.eduplace.com/ss/socsci/books/content/ilessons/4/ils_tn_gr4_u4_c06_l1.pdf
- https://original13colonies.weebly.com/index.html
- https://www.landofthebrave.info/trade-in-the-colonies.htm
- quizlet.com/135867740/natural-resources-and-products-of-the-13-colonies-flash-cards/
- https://sciencing.com/colonial-carolinas-natural-resources-8329601.html
- http://explorepahistory.com/story.php?storyId=1-9-11&chapter=2
1800s
In the early 1800s, westward expansion was taking place. The early group of explorers led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were trying to find a way across the country. They were also working on determining what the land was like and the natural resources that were available. They needed to determine if there were resources that would allow for the land to be settled.
In the mid 1800s, another natural resource was found in the United States - Gold! The gold was found in a stream in California. Because of this, many people fled towards California, which greatly increased the population. Coal also became increasingly important during the 1800s. The coal was needed for railroads, steam engines, and manufacturing. Coal mines in the west became another reason why towns and populations increased. The land was a third reason that led to westward expansion. The land was excellent for farming and agriculture. Finally, the large forests allowed for a great deal of lumber.
In the early 1800s, westward expansion was taking place. The early group of explorers led by Meriwether Lewis and William Clark were trying to find a way across the country. They were also working on determining what the land was like and the natural resources that were available. They needed to determine if there were resources that would allow for the land to be settled.
In the mid 1800s, another natural resource was found in the United States - Gold! The gold was found in a stream in California. Because of this, many people fled towards California, which greatly increased the population. Coal also became increasingly important during the 1800s. The coal was needed for railroads, steam engines, and manufacturing. Coal mines in the west became another reason why towns and populations increased. The land was a third reason that led to westward expansion. The land was excellent for farming and agriculture. Finally, the large forests allowed for a great deal of lumber.
1900s
1900-1929 (The Progressive Era)
The late 1800s and early 1900s brought about an interest in conservation, or taking care of the land and resources that we have. A great deal of the land and resources were used heavily and irresponsibly during the westward expansion of the 1800s. Many people had the attitude that waste was okay. Others started to feel a need to conserve what was left and pushed for government to get involved. These people were called conservationists.
During part of this time period, Theodore Roosevelt was president. He agreed with the conservationists and worked to put changes into place. During his time as president, he passed the Newlands Act of 1902 to help with irrigation projects. He also created a group to study how rivers, soil, and forests worked together, as well as to start exploring water power. In 1909 he created the National Conservation Commission, which was responsible for coming up with a plan to conserve natural resources long-term.
In 1916, the National Park Service was created. The goal was to help protect and preserve national parks. By the end of the 1900s, there were 350 national parks. Even though the National Park Service was created, there were still, and still are, debates over whether to preserve the existing protected land or develop it.
President Roosevelt also created the first Wildlife Refuge in 1903. At the time, the goal of the refuge was to protect waterfowl in Florida. Before he was done being president, 50 other wildlife refuges were created. In 1913, federal laws were put into place to protect migratory birds (birds who move from one place to another). In the 1920s, bird banding was started to be able to study the patterns of migratory birds.
1930-1950
Even though things were put into place to protect migratory birds, by 1934 there were several species that were endangered, including egrets and whooping cranes. Franklin Roosevelt was president at this time and he created a group to study how to restore wildlife. The group found that destruction of wetlands in order to urbanize and develop areas was one of the major problems. Additionally, wetlands were being damaged by other conservation groups that were trying to do good things. For example, they would try to prevent flooding of lands but would drain wetlands to do so. This led to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934. The Fish and Wildlife Service would be in charge of wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, wildlife, fish, and their natural habitats.
1950-1990
People in general started to be more concerned about environmental issues, such as air and water pollution. Awareness of pesticides and other chemicals that were polluting the environment also increased. Different organizations started to address local environmental issues. This started a movement, and in 1970 the first Earth Day was held. The public started to better understand the issues associated with taking away wildlife habitats, and there started to be more support for conservation movements.
Many things came about during this time period, including the Clean Air Act, The Environmental Protection Agency, and The National Trails System Act
Today
There are over 530 national wildlife refuges. 93 million acres of land and water are protected by the national government to try to keep wildlife and their habitats safe.
This website shares more information about the conservation movement.
1900-1929 (The Progressive Era)
The late 1800s and early 1900s brought about an interest in conservation, or taking care of the land and resources that we have. A great deal of the land and resources were used heavily and irresponsibly during the westward expansion of the 1800s. Many people had the attitude that waste was okay. Others started to feel a need to conserve what was left and pushed for government to get involved. These people were called conservationists.
During part of this time period, Theodore Roosevelt was president. He agreed with the conservationists and worked to put changes into place. During his time as president, he passed the Newlands Act of 1902 to help with irrigation projects. He also created a group to study how rivers, soil, and forests worked together, as well as to start exploring water power. In 1909 he created the National Conservation Commission, which was responsible for coming up with a plan to conserve natural resources long-term.
In 1916, the National Park Service was created. The goal was to help protect and preserve national parks. By the end of the 1900s, there were 350 national parks. Even though the National Park Service was created, there were still, and still are, debates over whether to preserve the existing protected land or develop it.
President Roosevelt also created the first Wildlife Refuge in 1903. At the time, the goal of the refuge was to protect waterfowl in Florida. Before he was done being president, 50 other wildlife refuges were created. In 1913, federal laws were put into place to protect migratory birds (birds who move from one place to another). In the 1920s, bird banding was started to be able to study the patterns of migratory birds.
1930-1950
Even though things were put into place to protect migratory birds, by 1934 there were several species that were endangered, including egrets and whooping cranes. Franklin Roosevelt was president at this time and he created a group to study how to restore wildlife. The group found that destruction of wetlands in order to urbanize and develop areas was one of the major problems. Additionally, wetlands were being damaged by other conservation groups that were trying to do good things. For example, they would try to prevent flooding of lands but would drain wetlands to do so. This led to the Fish and Wildlife Coordination Act of 1934. The Fish and Wildlife Service would be in charge of wildlife refuges, fish hatcheries, wildlife, fish, and their natural habitats.
1950-1990
People in general started to be more concerned about environmental issues, such as air and water pollution. Awareness of pesticides and other chemicals that were polluting the environment also increased. Different organizations started to address local environmental issues. This started a movement, and in 1970 the first Earth Day was held. The public started to better understand the issues associated with taking away wildlife habitats, and there started to be more support for conservation movements.
Many things came about during this time period, including the Clean Air Act, The Environmental Protection Agency, and The National Trails System Act
Today
There are over 530 national wildlife refuges. 93 million acres of land and water are protected by the national government to try to keep wildlife and their habitats safe.
This website shares more information about the conservation movement.
Major Events Related to Environment
Check out these resources to learn more about major events that impacted environment.
Check out these resources to learn more about major events that impacted environment.