Maher 1
the idea that became the CCC was a combination of a
number of significant movements at the time
- the conservation, sustained yield, greatest
good of the greatest number, long-term use not short term
profit approach to forestry
- preservation--leave nature untouched, being
in nature benefits people spiritually, morally, improves
health, improves character
- fresh air movement and related ideas--city
kids should spend their summers in the country
Franklin Roosevelt's approach to forestry was very
much sustained yield--conservationist
and reliance on experts in forestry and
agriculture--progressive
Roosevelt believed that young urban men could best be helped
by taking them to the country
in the 1920s the country was mostly seen as backwards, though
there was some nostalgia for rural life
but the depression led to a small back to the land movement
among both liberals and conservatives
p. 31 changing strategies of social control
- late 19th century new laws trying to control
prostitution, gambling...
- new group of 20th century reformers (eg. John Dewey)
create more positive urban settings through city planning and
vices will disappear
this led to the idea that getting out of the city would make
young people better
- country life movement--move out of the city and become
farmers
- enthusiasm for wilderness (more towards Muir's idea of a
spiritual experience)
- fresh air movement--summer camps and rural vacations
Key example--Boy Scouts
- founded in 1907 in England, but there were similar groups
like the Woodcraft Indians and Sons of Daniel Boone already
active in the US
- urban life was bad for people, and the solution was to
experience a primitive life to build character
- keep young people from being soft from city life, teach
toughness, self-reliance
- scouting taught boys to pitch tents, blaze trails, and
build fires--pioneer skills--not to identify plants or see the
forest scientifically or use it wisely
- Roosevelt in his role as president of the Boy Scout
Foundation of greater New York advocated teaching conservation
- in 1923 in New York conservation camps were established
for older scouts who would plant trees and fight fires
In 1931, Roosevelt as governor of New York steered relief
programs towards reforestation
Relief by sending young men to the countryside was good
politics, popular with both urban and rural voters and with both
liberals and conservatives