Day 2 The Muckrakers

Multiple Select

Which of the following describe the effects of muckrakers’ work during the Progressive Era? (Select all that apply.)

• Increased public awareness of social and economic problems

• Passage of laws regulating food and drugs

• The direct election of senators

• The breakup of monopolies like Standard Oil

Multiple Choice

Excerpt from The Jungle by Upton Sinclair (1906)
“There would be meat stored in great piles in rooms; and the water from leaky roofs would drip over it, and thousands of rats would race about on it. A man could run his hand over these piles of meat and sweep off handfuls of the dried dung of rats.”

Based on the excerpt, what best describes the public reaction to Sinclair’s book?

• People were horrified by the dangers of contaminated food and demanded government action.

• People became angry at workers for causing the unsanitary conditions.

• There was little public interest because food safety was not a concern at the time.

• The main focus was on improving working conditions for immigrants.

Multiple Choice

Which statement best describes the message of the cartoon showing Standard Oil as an octopus?

• Standard Oil helped stabilize the U.S. economy.

• Standard Oil’s power threatened government and businesses.

• The government successfully controlled monopolies.

• Ida Tarbell supported Rockefeller’s business practices.

Open Ended

Describe the main idea of the cartoon and explain how it connects to Ida Tarbell’s work as a muckraker.