In: Economics
U.S history question . The Populist movement began with the muckrakers, Who were the Muckrakers and why?
The term Muckraker was used in Progressive Era and it is used to characterize reform minded American journalists. Theodore Teddy Roosevelt, President of US nicknamed the investigate journalist as Muckrakers. They attacked established institutions and leaders as corrupt.
They played a highly visible role in progressive era during the period 1890s - 1920s. Muckrakers targeted many turn of the century injustices brought on by the increase of the immigrants, the rapid growth of the cities, unregulated bug business and the influence of political machines.
Journalist of previous era were not linked to a single political, populist movement but the muckrakers were associated with progressive reforms.They described immigrant ghettoes and the poor living conditions of tenement housing. They continued the investigative exposures and sensational traditions to change the society.
Muckrakers reduced the number of industrial accidents and provided health and safety standards. They exploited the child labor and white slave traffic in women. It also criticized abuses of power in politics and government. Some Muckrakers were even lived in slum they write about and also worked in the factories they investigated.
Muckrakers successfully exposed American's problems brought on during the progressive era which was lasted from around 1900 to 1917 by rapid industrialization and growth of cities. They created public awareness of corruption and social injustices.