Unit 3: The Rise of Environmental Concerns

Question 1

John Gast

Answer 1

Painted American Progress (1872), which represented “Manifest Destiny” using Colombia in the United States. The cultural belief that American settlers were destined to expand across North America.

Question 2

Henry David Thoreau

Answer 2

Wrote “Walden” in 1854 under the belief of transcendentalism, the inherent goodness of people and nature, making a virtue of self-reliance. Against the overconsumption of goods and participated in civil disobedience to protest against the government.

Question 3

George Perkins Marsh

Answer 3

Believed in the importance of a harmonious relationship between humankind and the natural world. Warned of the “dangers of imprudence and the necessity of caution.” Foundation of ecology and the conservation movement.

Question 4

Passenger Pigeons

Answer 4

Extinct in the early 20th century due to sport hunting. An example of human impact on the ecosystem.

Question 5

American Bison

Answer 5

Endangered due to the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.

Question 6

John Muir

Answer 6

Naturalist and writer who was instrumental in the founding of many national parks. Co-founded the Sierra Club, a conservation society.

Question 7

National Parks

Answer 7

Created by Republican President Theodore Roosevelt created five new national parks, 51 federal bird sanctuaries, four national game refuges, 18 national monuments, and more than 230 million acres’ worth of public land. Helped establish the conservation movement.

Question 8

Aldo Leopold

Answer 8

Wrote A Sand County Almanac, a “land ethic” which is a philosophy that prioritizes the right to life of all members of Earth’s biotic community. Rather than being the masters of this community, humans are simply another member.

Question 9

Rachel Carson

Answer 9

Wrote Silent Spring (1962), that exposed the hazards of DDT and questioned humanity’s faith in technological progress
Set the stage for the modern environmental movement by getting
President Kennedy’s attention, debate shifted from ‘IF’ pesticides and chemicals were dangerous to ‘Which ones’ were more dangerous.

Question 10

Environmentalism

Answer 10

The theory that environment, as opposed to heredity, has the primary influence on the development of a person or group.

Question 11

1972 UN Conference on the Human Environment

Answer 11

First United Nations conference on environmental issues. Released the Stockholm Declaration that consisted of 26 principles. Precursor the the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.

Question 12

1984 WCED/Brundtland Commission

Answer 12

Group meant to help direct the nations of the world towards the goal of sustainable development without economic ruin. Their final report “Our Common Future” was released in 1987.

Question 13

Sustainable Development (Unit 3)

Answer 13

Development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.