Question

ss.912.a.3.12
the information below identifies examples of the work of the muckrakers:

• upton sinclair exposed the unhealthy practices of chicagos meat packing

plants

• ida tarbell revealed the dishonest business tactics of rockefellers

standard oil company

• jacob riis wrote how the other half lives showing conditions of the

residents of nyc tenement housing
what was the impact of these muckraking activities during the early
1900s?
○ society changed in response to their promotion of social darwinism
○ voters agreed to let the owners of big business create more profitable monopc
○ reports of these works in publications abroad led to a sudden decrease in
immigration
○ public reaction to their books led to new laws addressing the abuses of
industrialization

Explanation:

Muckrakers like Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Jacob Riis exposed various problems (unhealthy meat - packing practices, dishonest business tactics, poor tenement housing). Their work led to public awareness. Social Darwinism (survival of the fittest applied to society) was not promoted by them. Voters did not agree to let big - business owners create more monopolies as these works were against such abuses. There is no indication that their works led to a sudden decrease in immigration. However, public reaction to their exposés did lead to new laws (e.g., the Pure Food and Drug Act in response to The Jungle by Upton Sinclair).

Answer:

Public reaction to their books led to new laws addressing the abuses of industrialization.