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Questions and Answers
What was a significant driving force behind the rapid economic expansion in America during the second half of the nineteenth century?
What was a significant driving force behind the rapid economic expansion in America during the second half of the nineteenth century?
Which political party was notably involved in utilizing the country's resources to transform the U.S. into an industrial power during this time?
Which political party was notably involved in utilizing the country's resources to transform the U.S. into an industrial power during this time?
What economic policy did the Republican Party often support during this period, which involved minimal government intervention?
What economic policy did the Republican Party often support during this period, which involved minimal government intervention?
Which group was largely bypassed by the economic boom of the late 19th century, despite America's promise?
Which group was largely bypassed by the economic boom of the late 19th century, despite America's promise?
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What was a significant problem affecting the political landscape of the United States during this period?
What was a significant problem affecting the political landscape of the United States during this period?
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In what way did reform-minded journalists contribute to challenging the state of corruption at this time?
In what way did reform-minded journalists contribute to challenging the state of corruption at this time?
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What term best describes the journalists who were actively working towards reform by exposing societal issues?
What term best describes the journalists who were actively working towards reform by exposing societal issues?
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In what way did the journalists see the state of the nation?
In what way did the journalists see the state of the nation?
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What role did muckraking journalism play in American society according to Schlesinger?
What role did muckraking journalism play in American society according to Schlesinger?
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Which publication is noted for exposing fraud among life insurance companies?
Which publication is noted for exposing fraud among life insurance companies?
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What was a notable outcome of the muckraking movement as described by Schlesinger?
What was a notable outcome of the muckraking movement as described by Schlesinger?
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What aspect of societal issues was highlighted by American Magazine?
What aspect of societal issues was highlighted by American Magazine?
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According to the content, which group supported new political leaders as a result of muckraking journalism?
According to the content, which group supported new political leaders as a result of muckraking journalism?
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What was the primary focus of Ida Tarbell's investigative journalism in McClure's magazine?
What was the primary focus of Ida Tarbell's investigative journalism in McClure's magazine?
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Which of the following best describes the means by which Standard Oil gained a competitive advantage according to Tarbell's investigation?
Which of the following best describes the means by which Standard Oil gained a competitive advantage according to Tarbell's investigation?
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What was the immediate impact of Tarbell's 'History of the Standard Oil Company' series?
What was the immediate impact of Tarbell's 'History of the Standard Oil Company' series?
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What was a key outcome of the public's response to Tarbell's expose on Standard Oil?
What was a key outcome of the public's response to Tarbell's expose on Standard Oil?
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What legislative action was directly influenced by Tarbell’s exposé on Standard Oil, as noted in the text?
What legislative action was directly influenced by Tarbell’s exposé on Standard Oil, as noted in the text?
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What did the U.S. Supreme Court rule regarding Standard Oil following Tarbell's articles?
What did the U.S. Supreme Court rule regarding Standard Oil following Tarbell's articles?
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What was John D. Rockefeller's reaction to the negative publicity resulting from Tarbell's articles?
What was John D. Rockefeller's reaction to the negative publicity resulting from Tarbell's articles?
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What detail from Tarbell’s articles illustrated the ruthlessness of Standard Oil’s operations against competitors?
What detail from Tarbell’s articles illustrated the ruthlessness of Standard Oil’s operations against competitors?
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Prior to writing for McClure's magazine, what was Ida Tarbell's primary writing focus?
Prior to writing for McClure's magazine, what was Ida Tarbell's primary writing focus?
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What was the original planned scope of Tarbell's 'History of the Standard Oil Company' series?
What was the original planned scope of Tarbell's 'History of the Standard Oil Company' series?
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How did Tarbell's work influence John D. Rockefeller's philanthropic activities?
How did Tarbell's work influence John D. Rockefeller's philanthropic activities?
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What was the nature of the 'patent medicines' that were widely sold during the muckraking era?
What was the nature of the 'patent medicines' that were widely sold during the muckraking era?
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Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an issue investigated by muckrakers during this period?
Which of the following is NOT mentioned as an issue investigated by muckrakers during this period?
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What was the primary concern regarding food production at the time of the muckrakers, as mentioned in the text?
What was the primary concern regarding food production at the time of the muckrakers, as mentioned in the text?
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Which of the following best represents the muckraking journalism in the text?
Which of the following best represents the muckraking journalism in the text?
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What was the primary purpose of muckraking journalism during the Progressive Era?
What was the primary purpose of muckraking journalism during the Progressive Era?
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How did technological advances impact the magazine industry during the early 20th century?
How did technological advances impact the magazine industry during the early 20th century?
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What did Lincoln Steffens primarily investigate in his journalistic career?
What did Lincoln Steffens primarily investigate in his journalistic career?
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Which phrase did President Theodore Roosevelt use to describe muckrakers?
Which phrase did President Theodore Roosevelt use to describe muckrakers?
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What effect did Steffens's exposé of St. Louis politics have on Joseph Folk?
What effect did Steffens's exposé of St. Louis politics have on Joseph Folk?
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What was a significant result of Steffens's work published in 'The Shame of the Cities'?
What was a significant result of Steffens's work published in 'The Shame of the Cities'?
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During the early 20th century, what trend did popular magazines follow to attract readership?
During the early 20th century, what trend did popular magazines follow to attract readership?
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Which aspect of American life did muckrakers particularly target for reform?
Which aspect of American life did muckrakers particularly target for reform?
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What commonly shared characteristic defined the journalists during the muckraking era?
What commonly shared characteristic defined the journalists during the muckraking era?
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What demographic saw increased interest due to the engaging style of muckraking journalism?
What demographic saw increased interest due to the engaging style of muckraking journalism?
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What did muckrakers hope to achieve through their journalism?
What did muckrakers hope to achieve through their journalism?
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What motivated Upton Sinclair to write 'The Jungle'?
What motivated Upton Sinclair to write 'The Jungle'?
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How did President Roosevelt respond to Sinclair's reporting?
How did President Roosevelt respond to Sinclair's reporting?
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What was a consequence of the expansion of advertising in magazines during the era?
What was a consequence of the expansion of advertising in magazines during the era?
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Why did Roosevelt criticize muckrakers at one moment?
Why did Roosevelt criticize muckrakers at one moment?
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What action did Ladies' Home Journal take against patent medicines in 1904?
What action did Ladies' Home Journal take against patent medicines in 1904?
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In which cities did Steffens conduct his investigative work?
In which cities did Steffens conduct his investigative work?
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Which of the following magazines joined the campaign against patent medicines?
Which of the following magazines joined the campaign against patent medicines?
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What financial consequence did Collier's face after dropping patent medicine ads?
What financial consequence did Collier's face after dropping patent medicine ads?
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What did President Roosevelt advocate in his annual message to Congress?
What did President Roosevelt advocate in his annual message to Congress?
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What was the primary focus of the illustration titled 'Death's Laboratory'?
What was the primary focus of the illustration titled 'Death's Laboratory'?
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How did muckrakers like Sinclair and Bok impact public awareness?
How did muckrakers like Sinclair and Bok impact public awareness?
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What legislation did Congress eventually pass as a direct result of muckraking efforts?
What legislation did Congress eventually pass as a direct result of muckraking efforts?
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What critical attitude did some critics have about Sinclair's work?
What critical attitude did some critics have about Sinclair's work?
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What was a common ingredient found in patent medicines as highlighted by Edward Bok?
What was a common ingredient found in patent medicines as highlighted by Edward Bok?
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What did critics highlight as the main problem with the U.S. Senate in the early twentieth century?
What did critics highlight as the main problem with the U.S. Senate in the early twentieth century?
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What did Sinclair claim about workers falling into meat vats?
What did Sinclair claim about workers falling into meat vats?
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Why was Sinclair's series 'The Jungle' considered authoritative by some readers?
Why was Sinclair's series 'The Jungle' considered authoritative by some readers?
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What was the primary focus of the muckraker David Graham Phillips in his series?
What was the primary focus of the muckraker David Graham Phillips in his series?
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In what significant way did Phillips propose to reform the Senate?
In what significant way did Phillips propose to reform the Senate?
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What was the result of Phillips's muckraking articles on the Senate?
What was the result of Phillips's muckraking articles on the Senate?
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What was the circulation increase for Cosmopolitan magazine during the publishing of 'The Treason of the Senate' series?
What was the circulation increase for Cosmopolitan magazine during the publishing of 'The Treason of the Senate' series?
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Which senator was described as the 'archetype of the sleek, self-satisfied American opportunist in politics'?
Which senator was described as the 'archetype of the sleek, self-satisfied American opportunist in politics'?
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What type of legislation did muckraking journalists help to bring about?
What type of legislation did muckraking journalists help to bring about?
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What historical impact did muckraking have on the American Senate?
What historical impact did muckraking have on the American Senate?
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Which journalist is noted for reporting that corporations controlled 75 of the 90 senators?
Which journalist is noted for reporting that corporations controlled 75 of the 90 senators?
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What was the widespread public reaction to Phillips's articles?
What was the widespread public reaction to Phillips's articles?
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Which historian emphasized the need for sensational measures during the progressive reform era?
Which historian emphasized the need for sensational measures during the progressive reform era?
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What aspect of journalism did muckrakers notably influence according to scholars?
What aspect of journalism did muckrakers notably influence according to scholars?
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What movement did muckraking journalists primarily contribute to in the early 20th century?
What movement did muckraking journalists primarily contribute to in the early 20th century?
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Following the muckraking era, what change occurred regarding U.S. senators?
Following the muckraking era, what change occurred regarding U.S. senators?
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Which industries were targeted by muckraking journalists for their corrupt practices?
Which industries were targeted by muckraking journalists for their corrupt practices?
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What was the reaction of the Senate to the muckrakers' accusations?
What was the reaction of the Senate to the muckrakers' accusations?
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Study Notes
The Rise of Muckraking Journalism
- American economy boomed in the late 19th century, fueled by innovation and industrial growth.
- Republican Party focused on industrial growth while protecting industry from foreign competition.
- Laissez-faire policies led to inequality, with immigrants and common people suffering in slums and factories.
- Corruption spanned politics and business, with rampant law-breaking, especially like Boss Tweed in New York.
Muckrakers and Reform
- Progressive journalists, using investigative skills and literary talent, exposed widespread corruption.
- They targeted greedy industrialists, politicians (local to Senate), and fraudulent business practices (patent medicines, food).
- Muckraking, the name coined by Theodore Roosevelt, characterized this style of journalism with focus on the negative aspects of society.
- Technological advancements in printing and paper led to accessible magazine prices and wider readership.
- Rapid population growth and advertising contributed to magazines' rise as a national medium.
Exposing Municipal Corruption
- Lincoln Steffens was a prominent muckraker, known for investigating municipal corruption.
- He initially focused on St. Louis, revealing a system of graft and bribery.
- His articles exposed corruption across various US cities.
- Steffens's work influenced policies and led to prosecutions of local officials.
- His book "The Shame of the Cities" helped establish the city-manager model of municipal government.
Busting the Trusts
- Ida Tarbell investigated Standard Oil, exposing its ruthless business practices and monopolistic control.
- Tarbell revealed unfair business practices and techniques through anecdotes and detailed reports.
- Tarbell's work led to criticism, but eventually led to a decline in Standard Oil’s power.
- The Hepburn Act and other legislative changes ultimately broke up Standard Oil, resulting in legal proceedings.
- Tarbell was a key figure in this era, hailed as a powerful journalist.
Attacking Dangerous Foods and Drugs
- Muckrakers also addressed poor food and medicine quality.
- Upton Sinclair's book "The Jungle" exposed unsanitary conditions in Chicago's meatpacking industry.
- "The Jungle" played a critical role in highlighting unsafe practices and created broad public outrage.
- The public pressure resulted from the exposé spurred government intervention (Pure Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act).
Exposing Treason in the US Senate
- William Randolph Hearst's Cosmopolitan magazine, with David Graham Phillips.
- Phillips exposed corruption within the US Senate, accusing senators of accepting bribes.
- The "Treason of the Senate" series led to significant public anger and pressure, triggering change.
- Public pressure resulted in election losses for several senators. Ultimately a constitutional amendment led to direct election of senators.
Muckraking's Legacy
- Muckrakers were instrumental in sparking the Progressive Era across multiple industries.
- Historians credit muckrakers with restoring focus on democratic ideals, fostering government reform.
- Muckraking investigations and activism significantly changed American business practices and government policies.
- Reform movement expanded into areas beyond investigated ones, including areas such as the Stock market, life insurance and even race relations.
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Description
Explore the transformative era of muckraking journalism during the late 19th century. This quiz delves into the role of Progressive journalists in exposing corruption in politics and business, as well as the social issues arising from industrial growth. Understand the impact of technological advancements on the dissemination of this critical journalism.
