Environmental History

By the account I am giving, it moves from reviews of environmental – Policy (1950s), to– Thought (1960s), to– Technology (1960s/70s)– Science (1970s), – Gender (early 1980s), and– Landscapes (mid-1980s-).

Environmental Movement

1. Conservationism

2. Preservationism

3. Environmentalism

4. Ecofeminism

5. Deep Ecology -- philosophy

6. Radical Environmentalism – anarchism, socialism, etc.

7. Global/ization (and) Ecological Change

Authors Samuel P. Hays (1959) Conservation and the

Gospel of Efficiency. POLICY Roderick Nash (1967) Wilderness and the

American Mind. THOUGHT Rachel Carson (1962) Silent Spring. Houghton

Mifflin. TECHNOLOGY Donald Worster (1977). Nature's Economy:

The Roots of Ecology. SCIENCE Carolyn Merchant (1982) The Death of

Nature. GENDER

Hays

pp.2-3 “Conservation was, above all, a scientific movement…. Its essence was rational planning to promote the efficient development and use of all natural resources…. It is from the vantage point of applied science, rather than of democratic protest, that one must understand the historic role of the conservation movement.”

Hays II

Conservationists “bitterly opposed those who sought to withdraw resources from commercial development…. Since resource matters were basically technical in nature, conservationists argued, technicians, rather than legislators, should deal with them.” (p.3)

Hays III

In the late 19th C many became convinced that national social problems could be solved by decentralizing population from urban centers. Many hoped that populating the west with Populist small farmers was the best way to go.

Doing this depended on rationalizing resource use and leveling the settlement playing field – see classic western movies for examples of power differentials.

Hays IV Populism, xenophobia, racism and

under-population all combine here. Urban interests saw the west as a social

safety valve, a way to relieve urban, immigrant unrest.

Livestock, extractive and industrial interests (including labor) also demanded that foreign investment and immigration be terminated.

Farmers did not want to compete with African-Americans, Asians or the wealthy (foreign or domestic) for American soil, water or markets.

Hays V

In terms of “people and environment,” Conservationists wanted an organized, rational and efficient use of water, timber, range and mineral resources.

At the same time, social Progressives sought organized, rational and efficient means of educating, acculturating assimilating immigrants with Scientific Social Work, Education and Criminal Justice.

Hays VI

The key is that the general strategies for controlling the environment and the public was the same for Progressives and Conservationists.

Science was the key and the model and elite natural scientists and social engineers would determine what was good for people and the environment.

Nash - Preservationism

In contrast to Conservationism’s interest in science and efficiency, Preservationism embraces spirituality and reflection.

Nash will be next for a review at a later date.