“Muckraker” is a word usually associated with the Progressive time period when discussing American history. The Progressive era was a time of widespread social, political, and economic reformation which took place in the United States. Before the public could be awakened to action, it first had to be enlightened on the scandalous realities of factories, politics, and slums. Muckraking exposed iniquities, educated the public about corruption in high places, and prepared the way for corrective action.
The original meaning of a “muckraker” is a rake or pitchfork used to clean manure and hay out of stables.. The common use of the word originated from a character in John Bunyan’s seventeenth century allegorical novel Pilgrim's Progress, in which …show more content…
One of the first recordings of a muckraking book was recorded in 1801, written by Frank Norris. Titled The Octopus, this fictional book informed the public of the monopolistic railroad practices in California. In Northern Securities versus the U.S. in 1904, the building company controlling railroads in the northwest was broken up (Caswell). Another well known muckraker, Thomas Nast, created the book Political Cartoons. Political Cartoons informed readers of the political corruption caused by New York City’s political machine, Tammany Hall, led by Boss Tweed. As a follow up, Tweed was convicted of embezzlement and died in prison (Caswell). Jacob Riis was a popular police reporter who often wrote for the New York newspaper. Riis brought attention to the horrifying living conditions of the urban poor, which consisted of over half of New York City’s population. He discussed the high rents, cheaply manufactured tenements, and the lack of landlords. Consequently, New York City passed building codes and regulations to promote safety and health (Caswell). Five years later in 1895, Ida B. Wells provided shocking statistics on the lynching of African Americans in her novel A Red Record. Shortly after, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People joined the fight for federal anti-lynching legislation (Caswell). Upton Sinclair …show more content…
First of all, writers found it more challenging to top the sensationalism of the previous story. The task of competing became too much of a struggle for the next muckraker. Secondly, publishers were expanding and faced economic pressures from banks and advertisers to tone down the harsh treatment of business. By 1910, corruptions were becoming more aware of their public image and developing a new specialty: the field of relations (Newman).
It is safe to say that muckraking had a lasting effect on the Progressive era. Muckraking exposed iniquities, educated the public about corruption in high places, and prepared the way for corrective action. Without the enlightenment of muckraking, Americans would have been blinded to the wrongdoings of many manufacturers and industries. Because of the many codes, regulations, and acts created to promote a better lifestyle, muckraking affected society in an overall positive
The original meaning of a “muckraker” is a rake or pitchfork used to clean manure and hay out of stables.. The common use of the word originated from a character in John Bunyan’s seventeenth century allegorical novel Pilgrim's Progress, in which …show more content…
One of the first recordings of a muckraking book was recorded in 1801, written by Frank Norris. Titled The Octopus, this fictional book informed the public of the monopolistic railroad practices in California. In Northern Securities versus the U.S. in 1904, the building company controlling railroads in the northwest was broken up (Caswell). Another well known muckraker, Thomas Nast, created the book Political Cartoons. Political Cartoons informed readers of the political corruption caused by New York City’s political machine, Tammany Hall, led by Boss Tweed. As a follow up, Tweed was convicted of embezzlement and died in prison (Caswell). Jacob Riis was a popular police reporter who often wrote for the New York newspaper. Riis brought attention to the horrifying living conditions of the urban poor, which consisted of over half of New York City’s population. He discussed the high rents, cheaply manufactured tenements, and the lack of landlords. Consequently, New York City passed building codes and regulations to promote safety and health (Caswell). Five years later in 1895, Ida B. Wells provided shocking statistics on the lynching of African Americans in her novel A Red Record. Shortly after, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People joined the fight for federal anti-lynching legislation (Caswell). Upton Sinclair …show more content…
First of all, writers found it more challenging to top the sensationalism of the previous story. The task of competing became too much of a struggle for the next muckraker. Secondly, publishers were expanding and faced economic pressures from banks and advertisers to tone down the harsh treatment of business. By 1910, corruptions were becoming more aware of their public image and developing a new specialty: the field of relations (Newman).
It is safe to say that muckraking had a lasting effect on the Progressive era. Muckraking exposed iniquities, educated the public about corruption in high places, and prepared the way for corrective action. Without the enlightenment of muckraking, Americans would have been blinded to the wrongdoings of many manufacturers and industries. Because of the many codes, regulations, and acts created to promote a better lifestyle, muckraking affected society in an overall positive