What is the Progressive Era? A shift from a lassize-faire stance on government and the economy A Result of the excesses of the Gilded Age. A belief that the government could fix problems in society.
Muckrakers Investigative journalists who highlight corruption, abuse, or unsafe conditions in industry, society, or politics and call for reform.
How the Other Half Lives Jacob Riis How the Other Half Lives (1890) Photographed poor crime, overcrowding, poor living conditions in New York City
Upton Sinclair The Jungle (1906) Exposed for working conditions, exploitation of immigrant workers, and unsanitary conditions in Chicago’s Meat Packing Industry. Meat Inspection Act (1906) Pure Food & Drug Act (1906)
Lincoln Steffens The Shame of the Cities (1904) Exposed Corruption of Political Machines Spurred need for electoral reform… many states adopted secret ballots, initiative, referendum, and recall measures
Ida Tarbell Exposed unfair business practices such as “rebates” used by Rockefeller’s Oil Trust to put small companies out of business Lead to passage of more Anti-Trust Legislation Hepburn Act (1906) Mann-Elkins Act (1910) Clayton Anti-Trust Act (1914)