Focus Question:

How did actions of muckrakers during

the Progressive Era help lead to
social reform? How progressive was
the Progressive Era?
Do Now: Observe and analyze the
political cartoon.
 Why an octopus? What associations
does the octopus arouse in your
imagination?

What do you think is the main idea of

each of these cartoons?
 How do the illustrators characterize
the power of the octopus?

Who are the victims, and how are

they portrayed?
Progressive Reform
reform: change for the better,
improvement
Progressive Era (1890-1920)
A time when people began to demand
that the problems caused by
industrialization be fixed
The government passed new laws and
became more responsible for protecting
citizens
 Social Problems Demands For
Reform Government Action (new
laws)
Who was going to be responsible for
bringing the problems to the attention of
the public and government?
Muckrakers
Muck - dirt, rubbish, or waste matter
To Rake - collect, gather, or move (in
this case, to expose)
 Muckraker: A writer or photographer
who exposed problems in society,
business, and the government during
the Progressive Era.

Examples: Upton Sinclair, (the

Jungle, meat packing plants)
Jacob Riis (exposed slums and how
poor lived in cities).