The Industrial Revolution took place in the 18th and 19th centuries; more precisely, it began around 1760 and ended between the 1820s and 1840s. The industrial revolution introduced the use of machines, which soon transformed people's lives as well as production methods. Before the revolution, the production of items was usually done in a person's home, through the use of hand tools or basic machines. In addition to improved production methods, people saw improvements in methods of transportation, communication, and banking. One of the effects of the industrial revolution was the rise of naturalism. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay It all started with the idea that national parks should be shared with everyone, because of the magnificent natural wonders of the land. The discovery of Yosemite in 1851 is what sparked the initiatives that ultimately led to legislation that protects and preserves the land for future generations. After the discovery of Yosemite, a boy named James Mason Hutchings saw the land and, after his first visit, returned with a photographer. The photographer then photographed the land and word and images of Yosemite spread quite quickly. People learned of the images and the name, and many people thought it would be in their best interest to protect the land. The earth was in danger, yet for a while, not much was done about it. By 1860, Niagara Falls park was nearly in ruins due to private landowners who owned all the scenic spots and all charged a tax. It was thought that if nothing was done to Yosemite, it would end the same way. In May of the year 1864, a man named John Conness introduced a bill to congress that simply proposed to “set aside a large tract of natural scenery for the future enjoyment of all.” Over 60 square miles of Yosemite Park land was now to be conveyed to the state of California, under the sole condition that the land be used for "public use, resort and recreation." In June of that year, President Abraham Lincoln signed a law preserving the land forever. In the year 1867, a man named John Muir arrives. He was a natural scientist, studying geology and botany and a graduate of the University of Wisconsin. After seeing Yosemite for the first time, he had written that Yosemite was "by far the grandest of all the special temples of Nature which I have ever been permitted to enter...". He devoted all his free time to exploring new parts of the land; He had felt a deep, spiritual connection to the land and animals, so he decided to dedicate himself to understanding the wilderness and teaching others what he had learned. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay The law that was made for Yosemite triggered the discovery of other national parks, all of which needed to be preserved and protected. Sequoia National Park and General Grant National Park are examples of legally protected lands, similar to Yosemite. While it was a good start, Muir knew there was a need for more parks and knew he would have to convince many Americans that national parks were a necessity.
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