muck rak ing noun 1. searching for and exposing real or alleged corruption, scandal, or the like, esp. in politics. 2. searching for and exposing misconduct in public life.

Muckraking A form of social criticism Usually advocates for social reform Aligned with the Progressive movement Became widespread in the late 1800s and early 1900s in print media (newspapers, newsletters, magazines, novels, etc.) Though the term itself seems to have a negative connotation, it has helped better the quality of life for American people by exposing evil corporations

The Original Gangsters These are some of the more famous muckrakers from the early Progressive era:  Lincoln Steffens The Shame of the Cities Exposed political corruption in major American cities  Ida M. Tarbell The History of the Standard Oil Company Exposed John Rockefeller’s violations of anti-trust legislation  Upton Sinclair The Jungle Exposed unsafe and unsanitary conditions in meat-packing factories

The New School Modern day muckrakers include…

Morgan Spurlock His film Supersize Me criticized the fast food industry

Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein Unknown Washington Post reporters rose to national fame by being the only two writers in America to break the Watergate scandal, which ultimately led to Nixon’s resignation.

Michael Moore A controversial idealist (as most muckrakers are), Moore has criticized everything from the national health care policy to the treatment of auto workers to the President’s role in the 9/11 attacks.

The Jungle Upton Sinclair’s expose of unsanitary conditions and deceitful practices of the meat-packing industry. Published in serial form in 1905 and as a novel in Elicited a reaction from everyone in the country, including President Teddy Roosevelt. Contributed enormously to the passage of the Food and Drug Act of 1906.

Upton Sinclair “I aimed at the public’s heart, and by accident I hit it in the stomach.” The author had intended for the book to be less of an expose of the meat industry and more of an argument for socialism. The work is notable as literature for two primary reasons:  Literature had not previously had such a significant social impact.  Literature had not traditionally been told from the perspective of the weak or the dispossessed class.

Small Group Tasks What sorts of hardships do immigrants face when coming to the United States? What sorts of services are available to immigrants when they first come to the United States? Does our nation truly offer the opportunities of the American Dream, or are there inherent obstacles in achieving this dream? You may use big paper if you like to report back to the group.