Muckrakers of the Progressive Reform Era 1890 - 1920

Muckrakers Journalists who attempted to expose the evils of big business and corrupt government The purpose of their reports was to educate the people about a problem and to encourage them to take action

What were the goals of the Progressives? To meet the challenges presented by industrialization and urbanization To break up the monopolies and restore competition To break the power of political machines and improve democracy To improve the quality of life for the people of the United States

Who were the Progressives? Urban, middle class Men and women Democrats and Republicans Well educated Believers in capitalism (not socialism) Pragmatic – simple solutions to complex problems All levels of government Attempted a variety of reforms Optimistic

Upton Sinclair – The Jungle FOOD INDUSTRY Exposed the evils in the meatpacking industry Resulted in the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act

Upton Sinclair Was a Socialist When interviewed, he said that he “aimed at the country’s heart, but instead, hit them in the stomach”

Ida Tarbell – A History of Standard Oil (Co.) MONOPOLIES to expose the ruthless practices of John Rockefeller VS.

Jacob Riis – A Muckraking Photojournalist URBAN POOR Immigrant from Denmark Worked as a police reporter and photographer Most famous work: How the Other Half Lives Exposed living and working conditions of urban poor

Five Cents Lodging

Children Sleeping in Mulberry Street

Girls on a Stoop

Home of an Italian Rag Picker

Tenement Yard

Room in a Tenement Flat

Cityscape

A New York City Peddler

A Ludlow Street Sweatshop

Bandit’s Roost 59 ½ Mulberry Street

Men’s Lodging Room in West 47th Street Station

Women’s Lodging Room in West 47th Street Station

Lincoln Steffens – The Shame of the Cities Told of the political corruption in Philadelphia New types of city government organization introduced (city manager)

Jane Addams Urban and Immigrant Poor Settlement Houses: located in working class areas, offered help for new immigrants Hull House, Chicago established; devoted to helping urban poor

US Department of Labor Child Labor Compulsory Education

Frank Norris – The Octopus told of the struggle against the railroad monopolies