1. #3 – Why is there a need for investigative reporting?
People demanded government intervention to
correct the social and economic problems caused by urbanization and big business

2. The Roots: Urbanization – Rapid Growth of Cities
TRIANGLE SHIRTWAIST?
Effects:
Overcrowded cities
Tenements
Unsanitary conditions
Poverty
Political Machines

3. Muckrakers Inspired the Progressive Movement through their writing.
Investigated and uncovered
“wrongs” in society
to promote reform

4. Upton Sinclair – The Jungle Exposed the meatpacking industry in the Mid-west Unsanitary conditions Poor Inspections Inspired citizens and government (TR) to act.

5. New Legislation - 1906 Meat Inspection Act
* Required sanitary packaging conditions.
* Healthy animals must
be used.
Pure Food and Drug Act
* Contents of food or drugs
must be labeled on
the package

6. Jacob Riis 1890: “How the Other Half Lives”
Exposed horrible living conditions for those living in poverty in NYC

7. The Tenements

8. Escape from the City
Because of good transportation Amusement Parks Outskirts of the city 1884 – Coney Island 1st Roller Coaster 1893 – Chicago 1st Ferris Wheel

9. Baseball – American’s Pastime
Spectator Sport / fans Professionals 1st Game? Brooklyn? Hoboken? Or Cooperstown?

10. City Parks Central Park NYC Frederick Law Olmstead
Playgrounds and Fields

11. Progressives Exposed Corruption
Big Business / Monopolies – working conditions – Ida Tarbell
* Politics – kickbacks, bribes –
Thomas Nast
* Societal issues – Child labor, living conditions, consumer protection – Jacob Riis

12. The Political Machine
Political machine—organized group that controls city political party
Give services to voters, businesses for political, financial support
After Civil War, machines gain control of major cities
Machine organization: precinct captains, ward bosses, city boss

13. The Role of the Political Boss
Whether or not city boss serves as mayor, he:
controls access to city jobs, business licenses
influences courts, municipal agencies
arranges building projects, community services
Bosses paid by businesses, get voters’ loyalty, extend influence
Who is the most famous political boss?

14. Political cartoon depicting William M. "Boss" Tweed (1870).

15. Political Reforms – Make Government more responsive to the people
Progressives felt government lost touch with what people wanted
Initiative:
A question posed by voters to be voted on
Referendum:
Questions posed to voters to be voted on

16. Political Reforms Recall: Election to take back an elected official
Primary system:
Parties nominate candidates for people to vote for