Unit VIII: "Waves of Reform" ca 1880s to 1921

Question/Problem 1: What were the political, economic, and social reforms that shaped America?

Directions: Read the following excerpt to get an idea of the problem addressed by the reform movement.

In the 1890s John Muir wrote magazine articles on conservation. He ended one article by saying:

Any fool can destroy trees. They cannot run away; and if they could, they would still be destroyed±±chased and hunted down.... Few that fell [cut down] trees plant them.... It took more than three thousand years to make some of the trees in these Western woods-- trees that are still standing in perfect strength and beauty, waving and singing in the mighty forests of the Sierra. Through all the wonderful, eventful centuries since Christ's time-- and long before that-- God has cared for these trees, saved them from drought, disease, avalanches,... but he cannot save them from fools±±only Uncle Sam can do that.

From Eden Force, John Muir (Englewood Cliffs, NJ: Silver Burdett Press, Simon and Shuster Elementary, Copyrighted by Gallin House Press., 1990), p. 110.

Part I: In your own words, describe the problem being addressed by this excerpt.

Part II: Research the following terms and individuals to learn more about the specific people and actions involved with this reform.

	John Muir	Yosemite National Park
	Sierra Club	Gifford Pinchot