Muckrakers & Reformers
Who exposed John D. Rockefeller's illegal business practices at Standard Oil?
Ida Tarbell
Compared with adults, were children paid more or less for their work?
Less
Which constitutional amendment allowed U.S. citizens to vote directly for U.S. senators?
17th Amendment
Which law prohibited the sale of dangerous or misbranded food, drinks, and medicines?
Pure Food and Drug Act
What was the main goal of leaders of the Progressive Movement?
To improve conditions for workers and the poor.
Who wrote The Jungle to expose unhealthy conditions in the meatpacking industry?
Upton Sinclair
What happened to adult wages when employers hired children for lower pay?
Adult wages decreased.
Which law created a federal commission to regulate the railroad industry in 1887?
Interstate Commerce Act
Which law established sanitary standards for meat processing facilities?
Meat Inspection Act
Why did farmers form organizations like the Grange and support the Populist Movement?
To fight unfair railroad rates and rising debt.
Who used photography to expose the poor living conditions in tenement slums?
Jacob Riis
Were workers usually paid when illness, injury, or bad weather prevented them from working?
No, workers were not paid.
Which law passed in 1890 was the first federal law prohibiting trusts designed to eliminate competition?
Sherman Antitrust Act
Which law allowed presidents to protect federally owned historic and prehistoric sites as national monuments?
Antiquities Act
What invention allowed people to share information without seeing one another?
Telephone
What two federal laws were influenced by Upton Sinclair's investigation of the meatpacking industry?
Meat Inspection Act and Pure Food and Drug Act
Why did reformers push for child labor laws during the late 1800s and early 1900s?
Many children worked long hours in dangerous conditions for low pay.
Which law prohibited unfair business practices, including exclusive dealing arrangements and certain predatory pricing practices?
Clayton Antitrust Act
What two actions did Theodore Roosevelt take to control powerful corporations?
Launched antitrust investigations and lawsuits; created the Department of Commerce and Labor.
What invention allowed businesses to operate after dark and people to go out after the workday?
Electricity
How did muckrakers help bring about changes during the Progressive Era?
They exposed corruption, unsafe working conditions, and social problems, creating public pressure for government reforms.
Why were early child labor reform efforts often unsuccessful?
Although reformers raised awareness, child labor laws were limited or struck down by courts.
Which law gave the federal government greater authority to regulate railroad operations and rates?
Hepburn Act
How did Roosevelt's actions challenge laissez-faire capitalism?
He increased government involvement in regulating businesses and controlling trusts rather than allowing corporations to operate with little government interference.
What were two ways Thomas Nast's political cartoons influenced politics and public opinion?
They criticized corrupt politicians and wealthy businessmen and helped the public understand complicated political issues.