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The purpose of the
National Monuments Act was to give the authority to the
president, by executive order or proclamation, to restrict the
use of specific public lands owned by the federal government for
the preservation of historic, prehistoric, and scientific
interest. The areas of interest were given the title of
"National Monuments."
1906 National Monuments Act for kids
The National Monuments
Act was originally passed by President Theodore Roosevelt, a
passionate conservationist, due to concerns about protecting
ancient, prehistoric ruins and artifacts in locations such as Chaco
Canyon, New Mexico and the Devils Tower in Wyoming. The 1906 law was
called 'An Act for the Preservation of American Antiquities'.
1906 National Monuments Act for kids
Definition
of Antiquities: The word 'Antiquities' describes a relic
or monument from ancient times often revealing artifacts
of great age that have survived from the past.
Reason for the 1906 National
Monuments Act
During the late 1800's conservationists became
increasingly concerned about the activities of
"pot hunters". The "pot
hunters" was the nickname given to
private collectors who
were removing ancient artifacts from historic areas of
lands and destroying the heritage of the nation.
1906 National Monuments Act for kids: The Devils Tower
Following
the passing of the National Monuments Act (1906 American
Antiquities Act) on September 24, 1906, President
Theodore Roosevelt issued a Presidential Proclamation
establishing the Devil's Tower in Wyoming, as the
nation's first National Monument. The Devils Tower
formed 50 - 60 million years ago. The Devils Tower is an
important element in the plot of the classic 1977 movie
'Close Encounters of the Third Kind'.
What was the Purpose of the National
Monuments Act?
What was the purpose of the National
Monuments Act? The purpose of the National Monuments Act
(1906 American Antiquities Act) was:
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To respond to the concerns
of Conservationists to preserve and protect treasured landscapes
and ancient monuments
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To enable the President to
issue Proclamations of national monuments and reservation of
lands
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To prohibit destruction or
excavation of American antiquities
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To issue government
permits to scientific or educational institutions and regulate
the examination of ruins, the excavation of archaeological
sites, and the collection of artifacts
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To enforce strict
penalties for the damage or destruction of antiquities
What were
the Effects of the
National Monuments Act?
Why
was the National Monuments Act important? The Effects of the
National Monuments Act were to arouse pride in the monuments and
heritage of America. Areas of astounding, natural beauty were
protected by law from destruction or abuse by man. Many areas
designated as National Monuments were later converted into National
Parks, for the enjoyment of all Americans. President Roosevelt also
used the National Monuments Act (1906 American Antiquities Act) to
create the Grand
Canyon National Monument, considered by many as one
of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World. He created the Grand
Canyon Game Preserve by proclamation in 1906 and the Grand Canyon
National Monument in 1908. It was eventually designated as a
National Park by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919 when he passed the
Grand Canyon National Park Act. The National Monuments Act (1906
American Antiquities Act) has been used over 100 times to preserve
the
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