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Progressive Reform: The Muckrakers
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A muckraker was a journalist that did some investigative work to “rake
up the mud” to shine a light on some very ugly parts of American
society. Below are some muckraking authors and their stories.
Instructions: Read the following excerpts from “muckraker” authors.
Answer the questions that follow the stories to analyze the impact of
the journalists at the time. Each question is worth 3 points. Your
response to each question should be thorough and rely on evidence
from the article and your knowledge of the period. Aim for 2-3
sentences per question.
Document 1: “Shame of the Cities” by Lincoln Steffens (1904) (15
points)
Now, the typical American citizen is the businessman. The typical
businessman is a bad citizen; he is busy. If he is a “big business man”
and very busy, he does not neglect, he is buy with politics, oh, very
busy and very businesslike. I found him buying boodlers in St. Louis,
defending grafters in Minneapolis, originating corruption in
Pittsburgh, sharing with bosses in Philadelphia, deploring reform in
Chicago, and beating good government with corruption funds in New
York. He is a self-righteous fraud, this big business man. He is the chief
source of corruption, and it was a boon if he would neglect politics.
But he is not the businessman that neglects politics: that worthy is the
good citizen, the typical businessman. He too is busy, he is the one
that has no use and therefore no time for politics. When his neglect
has permitted bad government to go so far that he can be stirred to
action, he is unhappy, and he looks around for a cure that shall be
quick so that he may hurry back to the shop.
Question 1a. What is Steffens’ opinion regarding businessmen? Question 1b.What is Steffens’ opinion regarding politics in America?
Question 1c.What influence did Steffens think business had on
politics?
Question 1d.How can Steffens’ view on business and politics be seen
as linked?
Question 1e.How can this magazine article effect the “common man’s
feelings about business and politics?
Document 2: “History of the Standard Oil Company” by Ida Tarbell
(1904) (9 points)
There were at the time some 26 [oil] refineries in the town—some of
them very large plants… To the owners of the refineries, Mr. Rockefeller
now went one by one, and explained [his plans- “You see,” he told
them, “this scheme is bound to work. It means an absolute control by
us of the oil business. There is no chance for anyone outside… You are
to turn over your refinery to my appraisers, and I will give you Standard
Oil Company stock or cash, as you prefer, for the value we put upon it. I
advise you to take the stock. It will be for your good.” Certain refiners
objected. They did not want to sell. They did want to keep and manage
their own business. Mr. Rockefeller was regretful but firm. It was
useless to resist, he told the hesitating… “You can never make more
money in my judgment,” said Mr. Rockefeller. “You can’t compete with
the Standard. We have all the large refineries now. If you refuse to sell,
it will end in your being crushed.”
Question 2a.How did Tarbell see Rockefeller’s role in developing the
Standard Oil Company?
Question 2b.What do you think Tarbell’s opinion of Rockefeller was?
Question 2c.What was Rockefeller trying to do in acquiring more oil
refineries in this example? Was there anything wrong with his
activities?
Summary and analysis questions (6 points):
Question 3a.What was the point of each of those articles? (Why did
the authors write them?)
Question 3b.Both of these articles can be found in McClure’s Magazine
from 1904-1911. McClure’s was a nationwide magazine that reached
many homes for pleasure reading. Why was it essential at this time for
muckrakers to do their job?
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