Muckrakers and Progressive Era Reformers

Vocabulary terms and definitions covering prominent muckrakers, their major works, and their impact on American society and reforms.

Muckrakers

Investigative journalists who exposed corruption and unsafe conditions to force government reforms; TR gave them their nickname in 1906.

Ida Tarbell

Investigative journalist who exposed John D. Rockefeller's unfair tactics in The History of the Standard Oil Company, which helped lead to breaking up the Standard Oil monopoly.

The History of the Standard Oil Company

A work by Ida Tarbell exposing John D. Rockefeller's unfair tactics, which contributed to breaking up the Standard Oil monopoly.

Lincoln Steffens

Author who wrote The Shame of the Cities, exposing bribery and corrupt deals in city governments.

The Shame of the Cities

A work written by Lincoln Steffens that exposed bribery and corrupt deals within city governments.

Upton Sinclair

Author who wrote The Jungle (1906) to reveal worker mistreatment, whose disgusting descriptions of unsanitary meat forced the creation of food-safety inspection laws.

The Jungle (1906)

A book written by Upton Sinclair to expose worker mistreatment; its descriptions of unsanitary meat forced the creation of food-safety inspection laws.

Frank Norris

Author who wrote The Octopus (1901), a story showing how a powerful railroad company controlled and crushed local wheat farmers.

The Octopus (1901)

A story written by Frank Norris showing how a powerful railroad company controlled and crushed local wheat farmers.