National Reclamation Act

Real World Example

The National Reclamation Act of 1902 was important during the Progressive Era because it aimed to transform the dry, unproductive lands in the American West into fertile areas for farming and settlement. This reflected the Progressive belief in using government power to improve society and manage natural resources wisely. The act highlighted tensions between federal authority and local control, as well as between conservation and development—issues that still matter today in debates over land use and environmental protection. In today's world, these ideas impact daily life in water management policies, which ensure that people in arid regions have access to water for drinking and agriculture. A farmer using irrigation technology today benefits from the legacy of the act, which laid the groundwork for sustainable water use in farming.