History Question

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?