MuckrakersJeric Fule, Wyatt Salkeld

Period 2

Jacob Riis

Jacob Riis was born on May 3, 1849 and died May 26, 1914. Jacob Riis was a police reporter whose work appeared in the

New York Newspapers that revealed the living and working conditions of the poor (virginia.edu)

Riis fought for better housing, adequate lighting and sanitation, and the construction of city parks and playgrounds for the poor

Riis believed the middle or upper class should donate or help the poor out

He believed that poverty was the result of the environmental conditions

Jacob Riis

Upton Sinclair

• Upton was born on September 20, 1878 and died on September 18, 1968

• He was a strong supporter of socialism (spartucus.co)

• Won a Pulitzer Prize for Fiction

• Best known for his novel “The Jungle”

• "The Jungle" was influential in obtaining passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act.

• Was elected Governor of California in 1934 but lost. (sss.gov.html)

Upton Sinclair

Muckrakers

Muckraker is a person who spreads real or alleged scandal about another, usually for political advantage

The group of journalists from the 1890s to the 1920s who turned American society upside down by exposing corruption and informing people about important social issues (wisegeek.org)

Muckrakers focused their interests on the public’s interest.

Muckrakers

Famous Muckrakers

• There were many famous muckrakers that spoke out in their own way.

• Lincoln Steffens investigated all areas of society with the help of journalists, presidents, Communists, artists and more. (bekkawalker.net)

• Ida Tarbell wanted to expose businesses and political scandals.

• Ida Wells fought for her race and exposed the events of lynching.

Famous Muckrakers

What were muckrakers and what did they do?

Focus Question

"Documenting "The Other Half": The Social Reform Photography of Jacob Riis and Lewis Hine." American Studies @ The University of Virginia. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2013. <http://xroads.virginia.edu/~ma01/davis/photography/riis/riis.html>.

"Famous Muckrakers." Bekkah Walker. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2013. <http://www.bekkahwalker.net/comt111a/websites_12/zau_site/famous.html>.

"Upton Sinclair : Biography." Spartacus Educational. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2013. <http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/Jupton.htm>.

"Who are the Muckrakers?." wiseGEEK: clear answers for common questions. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Oct. 2013. <http://www.wisegeek.org/who-are-the-muckrakers.htm>.

Works Cited