Muckrakers 19th Century

Words: 1334
Pages: 6
Open Document
Promotion to Improve American Society in Early Twentieth Century
In the late 19th Century America, urbanization and immigration brought changes to the society and culture. There were improvements in technology that had an influence in communication and how word was spread. Journalism was booming. Some journalists saw that the American society wanted articles exposing the problems in society. Some of those journalists that exposed the problems also wanted change and were given the name “Muckrakers”. These Muckrakers got their readers attention, used appeals to sympathy and indignation, and encouraged political changes from their readers to promote changes in the American Society in the early 20th century.
One way the Muckrakers used their skill …show more content…
According to Lincoln Steffens, “ If we would leave parties to the politicians, and would vote not for the party, not even for the men, but for the city, and the State, and the nation, we should rule parties, and cities, and States, and nation. If we would vote in mass on the more promising ticket, or, if the two are equally bad, would throw out the party that is in, and wait till the next election and then throw out the party that is in - then, I say, the commercial politician would feel a demand for good government and he would supply it”( Source 4). What Steffens is wanting is for the American people to vote differently so there is a demand for good government. In a speech given by President Theodore Roosevelt he states, “ There are in the body political, economic and social, many grave evils, and there is urgent necessity for the sternest war upon them. There should be relentless exposure of and attack upon every evil man, whether political or business man, every evil practice, whether in politics, business, or social life” ( Source 5). He later states, “ At the risk of repetition let me say again that my plea is not for immunity to, but for the most unsparing exposure of, the politician who betrays his trust, of the big business man who makes or spends his fortune in illegitimate or corrupt ways. There should be a resolute effort to hunt every such man out of the position he has disgraced”( Source 5). President Roosevelt wanted a change against the evils in society and was encouraging the attack upon the evils. These Muckrakers fought to have a change in politics along with
Show More

Related Documents: Muckrakers 19th Century

Essay On Muckrakers

aid the cries for reform. Although many individuals believe that the reformers resolutions were not affective, there is much more factual evidence that proves this otherwise. The need for reform was brought out by a group of journalists known as muckrakers, who would uncover the “muck” about flaws in businesses and society. Works included Lincoln Steffens The Shame of the Cities, an attack on government corruption, and Ida Tarbell's History of the Standard Oil Company, which exposed John D. Rockefeller…

Words 505 - Pages 3

Progressivism During The Progressive Era

Through their writing, muckrakers brought light to horrible conditions such as child labor, poverty, and very dangerous working conditions in the industries. The Muckrakers noticeably lessened corruption in many aspects of American life. Many works by muckrakers brought to light a variety of issues in America during the progressive era. These writers focused on a wide range of issues, including…

Words 885 - Pages 4

Muckraker: Romanticism and Naturalistic Writers Essay

1. Define the term "Muckraker." Be sure to include the name of the person who created it. a. The term “Muckraker” was created by Theodore Roosevelt, the term referred to journalists because they always wanted to stir up news and make drama. 2. Naturalism was a literary movement of the late 19th century that was an extension of Realism. What was the main focus of the Naturalistic writer? a. Naturalistic writers believed that the laws behind the forces that govern human…

Words 431 - Pages 2

Essay on Progressive Era

Improvement it wasn’t from political parties. The muckrakers were critics, authors, and reporters. They were letting the people of America know what was going on in factories, which was the immoral and unfairness in the world. They informed people about the harsh and dangerous work conditions. Revealing social problems for what they really were. The muckrakers had a huge role in the progressivism because in the late 19th century the people were readers because television had not been…

Words 762 - Pages 4

The Progressive Era In The United States

the 20th century to the end of WW1, during this period there was a great deal of social change, led by widespread activism for the rights of women and minorities, social reforms driven by an overall sense that the government should take a more active role in helping with social and political issues. The Progressives were a collect group that sought to change the way American Democracy would be shaped. The Progressive Era in the United States was from around the beginning for the 20th century until around…

Words 536 - Pages 3

Ap World History Dbq Analysis

achieve social, political, and economic change in the United States. There were two prime goals that reformers wanted to achieve in the late 19th and early 20th century. Reformers used numerous methods to achieve their goals and bring about many positive changes that still affect us today. One main goal of reformers in the late 19th and early 20th century was to protect the individual workers rights (Doc 5). The other prime goal of reformers like the Progressive Party was to improve working…

Words 522 - Pages 3

Harlem Progressive Era

movement would mend the wounds that remained open from the Gilded Age. Reformers were the key to righting the wrongs of America during that time. Muckrakers were bold and brave journalist who exposed scandal in big business practices and politics. Women arose to claim their rightful position in the world beyond their expected stereotypes. Ida Tarbell was a muckraker who targeted the pioneers of the Gilded Age, exposing their dirty deeds. Tarbell wrote about the questionable competition in politics, and…

Words 722 - Pages 3

Jacob Riis How The Other Half Lives Summary

his work in journalism and social reform. His work helped to influence great strides in improving the issues resulting from industrialization and urbanization throughout the late 19th and early 20th century. This time period eventually became known as the Progressive Era due to the social reforms brought about by muckrakers like and inspired by Riis. At 21 years old, Jacob Riis stepped foot in New York in 1870 with only the clothes he wore and a measly $40. For the first few years after immigrating…

Words 935 - Pages 4

Women During The Progressive Era

settlement workers, social workers, and public health nurses. The Women’s Trade Union League (WTUL) represented a partnership between middle-class reformers and working-class women to raise wages and improve working conditions. In the early 20th century, it focused on unionizing women workers and supporting women’s strikes. Rose Schneiderman, the renowned feminist and labor activist, became an important member of the WTUL. Not only was Schneiderman important in the working conditions but Lewis Hines…

Words 756 - Pages 4

Industrialist Study Guide Essay

of the Progressive Era and helped turn the nation to issues of concern to mothers, such as the needs of children, public health, and world peace. Susan B. Anthony- was a prominent American civil rights leader who played a pivotal role in the 19th century women's rights movement to introduce women's suffrage into the United States. She was co-founder of the first Women's Temperance Movement with Elizabeth Cady Stanton as President. William Jennings Bryan- was a leading American politician from…

Words 1072 - Pages 5