1. Learning Target: I can analyze primary sources to understand the impact Ida Tarbell had on the Progressive Era.
Do Now: Answer the following on worksheet What was Upton Sinclair’s agenda during the Progressive Era?

2. Ida Tarbell
Muckraker committed to exposing Rockefeller’s unfair business tactics.
Goal was to take down Rockefeller and his Standard Oil Company
Publishes “History of the Standard Oil Company”

3. Activity
In groups read and analyze the documents on Ida Tarbell as well as John D. Rockefeller’s response to Tarbell’s claims.
Answer the questions that follow
Share response to text questions

4. Ida Tarbell’s View on John D. Rockefeller Reading Questions
Directions: Use the texts to answer the questions below. Cite evidence to support your answer.
Ida Tarbell’s View on John D. Rockefeller Reading Questions
Ida Tarbell refers to Rockefeller as being “good”, what does she mean by this?
What is the message that Tarbell is trying to tell the reader about Rockefeller?

5. John D. Rockefeller’s Response to Ida Tarbell Questions
What is Rockefeller’s response to Ida Tarbell?
In paragraph 3, what does Rockefeller mean by this statement? Explain. “Poor woman! How she has degraded herself and failed of accomplishing her object to injure, to smirch, to overthrow the Standard Oil Company, to satisfy the petty spite against it because forsooth her father and brother could not compete in the oil business.”

6. Result of Tarbell’s History of the Standard Oil Company
Rockefeller’s unfair business tactics are exposed
Roosevelt breaks up Standard Oil Company.
Supreme Court rules Standard Oil Company is violating the Sherman Antitrust Act, which stated it was illegal for corporations to gain control of industries by forming trusts.
Trust- businesses work together to cut prices and squeeze out competitors.

7. Summary Question
What was Ida Tarbell’s Agenda during the Progressive Era?