A muckraker was a journalist that did some investigative work to “rake
up the mud” to shine a light on some very ugly parts of American
society. Below are some muckraking authors and their stories.
Instructions: Read the following excerpts from “muckraker” authors.
Answer the questions that follow the stories to analyze the impact of
the journalists at the time. Each question is worth 3 points. Your
response to each question should be thorough and rely on evidence
from the article and your knowledge of the period. Aim for 2-3
sentences per question.
Document 1: “Shame of the Cities” by Lincoln Steffens (1904) (15
points)
Now, the typical American citizen is the businessman. The typical
businessman is a bad citizen; he is busy. If he is a “big business man”
and very busy, he does not neglect, he is buy with politics, oh, very
busy and very businesslike. I found him buying boodlers in St. Louis,
defending grafters in Minneapolis, originating corruption in
Pittsburgh, sharing with bosses in Philadelphia, deploring reform in
Chicago, and beating good government with corruption funds in New
York. He is a self-righteous fraud, this big business man. He is the chief
source of corruption, and it was a boon if he would neglect politics.
But he is not the businessman that neglects politics: that worthy is the
good citizen, the typical businessman. He too is busy, he is the one
that has no use and therefore no time for politics. When his neglect
has permitted bad government to go so far that he can be stirred to
action, he is unhappy, and he looks around for a cure that shall be
quick so that he may hurry back to the shop.
Question 1a. What is Steffens’ opinion regarding businessmen?
Question 1b.What is Steffens’ opinion regarding politics in America?
Question 1c.What influence did Steffens think business had on
politics?
Question 1d.How can Steffens’ view on business and politics be seen
as linked?
Question 1e.How can this magazine article effect the “common man’s
feelings about business and politics?