Geol 204, Lacy, S10
The National Parks – America’s Best Idea Video #1
Name: ______________________________
Directions: Read all questions prior to watching video. I will not be pausing the video to give you time to fill in your
answer, so be sure that you make yourself as familiar with the questions as possible. Answer questions during video
then check work immediately following video. You are welcome to collaborate with a classmate to cross-check your
answers. This worksheet is due the class period after the viewing video #1 has been completed.
1. True or False? (circle one) The first white men to see Yosemite were explorers looking for a good settlement
location. Explain your answer choice on the lines below. ___________________________________
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2. Who were the first people of Yosemite? What was their name? _______________________________________
3.
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What does the name Yosemite mean? _______________________________________________
4. True or False? (circle one) Niagara Falls was America’s first National Park. Explain your answer choice.
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5. True or False? (circle one) Today, Niagara Falls is much for developed and contains many more tourist traps
than it did 200 years ago. Explain __________________________________________________
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For pictures of what it looks like today, click here or Google (images) Niagara Falls.
6. What was James Hutchings main role in the history of Yosemite Valley? __________________________
7.
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What was John Muir’s first job in Yosemite? ___________________________________________
8. True or False? (circle one) During the middle of the 19th century people began to believe that spending time in
nature was therapeutic.
9. What famous event in American history was happening when Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa grove ere
preserved by President Lincoln? ___________________________________________________
10. Fredrick Olmstead felt preserving the natural beauty of Yosemite was very important. What other natural
landmark was this man involved with? _______________________________________________
11. True or False? (circle one) John Muir preferred riding a horse to walking.
12. How did John Muir “celebrate” trees? _______________________________________________
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13. What was John Muir’s most important contribution to the understanding of Yosemite’s Geology? ____________
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14. What were some reasons that people opposed creating a National Park? ________________________
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15. What was Langford’s Motivation for visiting the area of Yellowstone? ___________________________
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Geol 204, Lacy, S10
16. How did Truman Everts become famous? _____________________________________________
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17. What action was taken to assure the general public that they would be safe from Indians in Yellowstone?
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18. Why was Yellowstone called Wonderland? ____________________________________________
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19. In your opinion, was the “Yellowstone Park Improvement Company” good or bad for the natural beauty of the
park? Why? _______________________________________________________________
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20. What role did Grinnel play in Yellowstone’s History? ______________________________________
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21. Was John Muir successful in any way after leaving Yosemite? Exlplain. ___________________________
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22. What kind of observations did John Muir make when he returned to Yosemite after many years away? How did
these observations make him feel? _________________________________________________
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23. Why is John Muir such an important figure in the history of Yosemite? ___________________________
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