Muckrakers

1. Muckrakers

2. The muckraker movement in the early years of the 20th century was unique. It involved the use of sensational journalistic exposés to promote the Progressive Era, encompassing the most sweeping reforms of business and government in U.S. history. • The nature of muckraking journalism involved in-depth research and factually documented accounts rather than mere opinion. The muckrakers focused on two related areas of concern: the abusive methods of building private business fortunes through monopolistic practices, and corruption in government from city councils to Congress. The primary audience targeted by the muckrakers was the middle class, which had the ability to bring about reforms through the ballot box. Although newspapers were not neglected as a tool of the muckraking campaign, the primary vehicles for muckrakers were mass-circulation magazines, which allowed lengthy, detailed analysis of a subject

3. "Men with the muckrake are often indispensable to the well-being of society, but only if they know when to stop raking the muck."

4. Role Play-Reenactment • Read the excerpt with your group. • Create a reenactment of the issues and create an original solution to the issues. • Your reenactment must be 1 minute or less and must include all group members

5. Exit Ticket • In what ways did the muckrakers represent both the best and worst features of a free press in the U.S?