12.2 Muckrakers and Progressive Reform

Muckrakers and Their Impact

Progressives aimed to bring about change by informing the American people about the harsh realities of factory and city life.
They sought to expose the negative impacts of monopolies on common people, farmers, and workers.
Muckrakers, a group of writers in the early 1900s, played a crucial role in this effort by uncovering and publishing exposés on monopolies, political machines, and other societal problems.
The public response to these revelations often led to government intervention and business reforms.

Addressed the plight of Native Americans.
Inspired by a lecture from a Ponca chief about the forced removal of his people from their reservation in Nebraska.
Became an activist for Native American rights, starting with letters to the New York Times advocating for the Poncas.
Authored "A Century of Dishonor" (1881), a book condemning the U.S. government's Indian policy and its history of broken treaties with Native American tribes.
Called for a more humane and just policy towards Native Americans.
Sent a copy of her book to every member of Congress, but it had limited impact on lawmakers.

Reporter for Joseph Pulitzer's New York World.
Known for her investigative journalism, including a trip around the world.
Went undercover to investigate the Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwells Island, feigning insanity to report on brutal treatment and neglect.
Successfully convinced doctors of her insanity and was committed to the asylum.
Experienced and documented the appalling conditions, including spoiled food, cold water treatments, and inhumane treatment by staff.
After ten days, the newspaper secured her release, and she published her report in "Ten Days in a Madhouse."
Her exposé led to a grand jury investigation and an increase of 850,000 in funding for improvements at the asylum.

Authored "The History of the Standard Oil Company" (1904), an exposé on John D. Rockefeller's oil company.
The book was initially serialized in 19 parts in McClure's magazine.
Considered one of the most influential muckrakers, inspiring others to investigate and expose corporate wrongdoing.
Revealed the unjust practices of Standard Oil, including Rockefeller's monopolistic policies and ruthless takeover of other oil companies.
The book contributed to the breakup of Standard Oil in 1911.

Lived in California and witnessed the impact of the railroad monopoly on farmers.
His book, "The Octopus," depicted the Pacific and Southwest Railroad's control over freight in California's Central Valley.
The railroad's high rates led to foreclosures and farmers losing their land.
The book portrayed the railroad's ruthless tactics, including staging a bloody shootout to suppress resistance.
His work raised public awareness about the railroads' exploitative practices.

Police reporter for the New York Tribune.
Documented the terrible living conditions of immigrants in New York City slums.
Used flash photography to capture images of life in dark tenements, showcasing the living conditions to the wider public.
Authored "How the Other Half Lives," a book featuring his photographs and descriptions of immigrant life.
His work influenced Theodore Roosevelt, then New York City Commissioner of Police, to close police-run poorhouses.

Wrote "The Jungle" (1906), exposing corruption in the American meatpacking industry.
Depicted the harsh working conditions and the hopelessness of workers in the meatpacking plants.
Lived among working-class immigrants in Chicago to research his book.
The book led to legislation that brought government inspectors to meatpacking plants, ensuring better standards.

Worked at McClure's magazine with Ida Tarbell and Ray Stannard Baker.
Focused on corruption in city governments.
Authored "The Shame of the Cities" (1904), exposing political machines and the boss system in American cities.
Aimed to evoke shame and outrage among Americans, leading to reforms in city politics and government.

Wrote "Following the Color Line," a series of articles in McClure's reporting on segregation and racial discrimination in America.
One of the few muckrakers who addressed the plight of African Americans during this period.

Muckrakers focused on specific issues, conducting extensive research to uncover facts and dirt on the topic.
They disseminated their findings through books and magazine articles.
They believed that informed citizens would pressure the government to make reforms.
The writers generally stayed out of the political arena, leaving the political aspects of reform to other progressives.

The term "muckraker" originated from a 1906 speech by Theodore Roosevelt.
Roosevelt supported the exposure of evil practices but emphasized the importance of absolute truthfulness.
He likened these writers to a character from John Bunyan's "Pilgrim's Progress" who could only look down at the muck.