The Progressive Era The Muckrakers

Muckrakers Began writing in late 19 th /early 20 th century Mukrakers—term given to crusading journalists by President Theodore Roosevelt TR accused a journalist of ‘raking up muck’ through his writings Group of crusading journalists—began directing public attention toward social, economic, & political injustices Goals— To expose scandal, corruption, and injustice to public view

Muckrakers How they achieved their goals — Exposés— A form of investigative journalism in which the author/reporter delves into a common place subject & discovers scandal or other misdeeds An article or book intended to reveal shocking or surprising information Muckrakers target groups and controversial topics — Trusts, railroads, labor unions, oil companies, natural resources, immigrant ghettos, government & political parties, family disunion, women’s rights, civil rights, prostitution, prohibition

Muckrakers Through their writings, the muckrakers expressed basic progressive ideals: Efficiency & organization Opposition to monopoly Belief in social unity in the face of injustice & corruption

Famous Muckrakers Ida Tarbell Joseph Lincoln Steffens Charles Francis Adams, Jr

Ida Tarbell Muckraking journalist best known for the two volume work, originally articles for McClure's Magazine, on John D. Rockefeller and his oil interests: The History of the Standard Oil Company, published The exposé resulted in federal action and eventually in the breakup of the Standard Oil Company of New Jersey under the 1911 Sherman Anti-Trust Act. Ida Tarbell

Joseph Lincoln Steffens 1892 Steffens became a reporter on the New York Evening Post. He later he became editor of McClure's Magazine, where he became associated with the style of investigative journalism that became known as muckraking. One of Steffen's major investigations involved exposing local government corruption. A collection of Steffen's articles appeared in the book The Shame of the Cities (1904). This was followed by an investigation into state politicians, The Struggle for Self-Government (1906). Joseph Lincoln Steffens

Served in the Union Army until 1865, Post army career—studied the railroad situation, writing and publishing articles that led to his appointment on the Massachusetts railroad commission in —he published a remarkable essay, A Chapter in Erie, which exposed the methods by which some of the leading railroad directors manipulated the stocks of their roads for their own benefit. He became a government director of the Union Pacific Railroad in 1882 and served as its president from 1884 to Upon retiring, he wrote many books & pamplets reflecting his opinions about the railroad indutry. Noteable writing included: Railroads, their Origin and Problems (1878) Notes on Railroad Accidents (1879) Charles Francis Adams, Jr Charles Francis Adams, Jr.

What impact did the Muckrakers have on Progressive Reforms? Make a list of 5 ways in which the muckrakers were able to help facilitate reforms during the Progressive Era.