Progressive Reform: The Muckrakers
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?