Muckrakers
"Muckrakers" is a name given to a group of writers active between 1902 and 1912 in the United States. At this time, few laws protected workers or consumers. Work conditions were often unsafe. Companies set prices to keep their profits up. The muckrakers wrote articles and books that exposed these corrupt business practices. They thought it was their role to bring social problems to light. They hoped this would advance reform efforts. For instance, Upton Sinclair revealed the filthy conditions in the meatpacking industry in his novel The Jungle.
It was President Theodore Roosevelt who came up with the tag "muckraker." He agreed with these journalists' ideas and also supported reform, but he didn't like the writers' methods. He meant the term as a put-down. He didn't think it was necessary to describe wretched scenes in slums and work places to bring about change. Still, by bringing the public's attention to such problems, the writers did help improve conditions. Sinclair's novel is a case in point. After The Jungle was published, Roosevelt ordered an investigation of the meatpacking industry. The result was the Pure Food and Drug Act. This act ensures that meat and other foods are prepared in a sanitary way. Today, most people associate the term "muckraker" with someone who wants to clean up corruption.
1
Select the correct answer.
Why did Sinclair's novel The Jungle drive Roosevelt to action?
A.
It exposed bribery in the meatpacking industry.
B.
It attacked Roosevelt as being weak on corruption.
C.
It revealed a public health hazard.
Explanation:
