Master the Progressive Movement Test 2025 – Rev Up Your Knowledge Revolution!

The recognition of Theodore Roosevelt as the key figure in establishing national parks and safeguarding natural resources during the Progressive Era is well-founded. His presidency from 1901 to 1909 was marked by significant conservation efforts, which were a critical aspect of the Progressive Movement aimed at addressing the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the United States.

Roosevelt's administration was notable for the creation of the United States Forest Service and the implementation of the Antiquities Act, which allowed him to designate national monuments and protect landscapes of historical or scientific interest. He established five national parks, 18 national monuments, and 150 national forests, which collectively protected approximately 230 million acres of public land. His vision was not just to preserve these areas for aesthetic pleasure but also for ecological health and responsible resource management.

This commitment to conservation, along with his recognition of the need to balance industrial development with environmental protection, firmly positioned him as a pioneering figure in the movement towards sustainability and environmental stewardship in the United States. Other figures mentioned, while influential in their own rights, did not focus their efforts primarily on conservation in the same impactful way that Roosevelt did.