American Environmental History Quiz

What was the estimated percentage decline in forest land from 1630 to 1907 in the Northeast, South, and Midwest?

• 25 percent

• 42 percent

• 50 percent

• 60 percent

Which U.S. President acquired the Louisiana territory from the French in 1803?

• George Washington

• Thomas Jefferson

• Abraham Lincoln

• James Madison

What term refers to the forced march of 15,000 Cherokee from states in the southeast to Oklahoma in 1838-1839?

• The Great Migration

• The Trail of Tears

• The Long Walk

• The Cherokee Exodus

What was one of the iconic symbols of the disappearing frontier in the late 19th century?

• The American bison

• The bald eagle

• The grizzly bear

• The wild horse

By the 1880s, what was the status of the American bison population?

• They were thriving

• They were on the brink of extinction

• They had migrated to Canada

• They were domesticated

Which national park was established by Congress in 1872, becoming the first national park in the United States?

• Yosemite

• Yellowstone

• Grand Canyon

• Zion

What was one of the main reasons for the establishment of the first national park?

• To create a tourist attraction

• To protect the area from industrial development

• To preserve the area for scientific study and public enjoyment

• To provide a hunting ground for settlers

What was the impact of the new protected status of the Yellowstone lands on the indigenous tribes?

• It allowed them to continue their traditional hunting and fishing practices

• It forced them to move to other regions

• It provided them with new economic opportunities

• It had no significant impact on their lives

What was a significant environmental impact of coal burning in cities and factory towns during the Industrial Revolution?

• Increased agricultural productivity

• Improved air quality

• Significant amounts of smog and soot

• Decreased respiratory illnesses

Who was the 26th president of the United States and a champion of environmental conservation?

• Abraham Lincoln

• Theodore Roosevelt

• George Washington

• John Muir