Curated OER
The Progressive Era
Students explore The Progressive Era, and discuss labor unions, coal mining, employee rights, and strikes. Unit of lessons all on one page.
Curated OER
1876-1920 Word Search Puzzle
In this literacy instructional activity, students look for the words in the puzzle that are related to the theme of the word search. Spelling skills are worked on.
Other
Middle Tennessee State University: The Progressive Movement: Life as a Muckraker
In this lesson, students learn about the muckraking journalists who exposed social injustices during the Progressive Era and what the Progressives believed. They will examine primary sources, including the works of prominent...
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History Unit: Period 7: 1890 1945: Muckrakers
The study resource from Khan Academy provides an overview of Period 7: 1890-1945 in American History. The Progressive Era's muckrakers are discussed in this lesson. This resource is designed as a review for the AP US History Test.
Khan Academy
Khan Academy: Ap Us History: 1890 1945: The Age of Empire: Muckrakers
Discusses the muckraking journalists and novelists who were at the forefront of movements pushing for stronger protections for workers and consumers. Their work led to the passage of several important pieces of legislation. Includes...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Yearning to Breathe Free: Muckrakers and Activism [Pdf]
A lesson plan from the producers of the 16-episode PBS series "Freedom: A History of US" that leads learners through an examination of the role of muckrakers in the development of investigative journalism. Students work to identify...
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Muckrakers
Sometimes a pen can be wielded more lethally than a sword. Read about the brave muckrakers who exposed corruption and injustice in government and business. These journalists attacked different areas, but the result was an introduction to...
Other
Sachem Central School District: Your History Site: The Muckrakers [Pdf]
Excerpts from the writings of Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, and Jacob Riis on early industrial America. Topics include the horrors that went into the making of sausages, the problem of transportation and the Standard Oil Company, and life...
C-SPAN
C Span American Writers: Upton Sinclair and Muckrakers
A companion to C-SPAN's series, this site features a brief biography of Upton Sinclair, the text of his influential book, "The Jungle," and links to information about the Chicago Stockyards, as well as to other sites about Sinclair and...
Constitutional Rights Foundation
Constitutional Rights Foundation: Upton Sinclair's the Jungle: Muckraking the Meat Packing Industry
The Jungle dives into the terrible working conditions in the meat-packing industry which led to investigations and new food safety laws.
Stanford University
Sheg: Document Based History: Reading Like a Historian: Political Bosses
[Free Registration/Login Required] Students use primary source documents to investigate central historical questions. In this investigation, students examine a political cartoon, a muckraker text, and the defense of a political boss to...
Other
Special Collections Department: Mc Clure Publishing Company Archives
This site from the University of Delaware provides the archives from McClure's magazine and explains how the magazine provided an outlet for muckraking journalists.
Annenberg Foundation
Annenberg Learner: American Passages: Migrant Struggle: Upton Sinclair
Muckraker Upton Sinclair is featured in this brief biography drawing particular attention to his novel, "The Jungle," written to alert people to the inhumane treatment of immigrant workers. See "Upton Sinclair Activities" for related...
Texas Education Agency
Texas Gateway: Upton Sinclair: A Progressive Era Muckraker
Students will describe how Upton Sinclair's The Jungle reflected issues of the Progressive Era.
Other
Weebly: Muckraker Multi Media: Political Cartoons
Five political cartoons that deal with uncovering unjust activities in various corporations by Upton Sinclair, Ida Tarbell, Jane Addams, Samuel Hopkins Adams, and John Spargo.
OpenStax
Open Stax: Progressive Movement 1890 1920: Origins of Progressive Spirit
Learn how the muckrakers explosed problems and corruption, which galvanized the public to demand change from the government, thus triggering the Progressive movement, and everything that meant.
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of Us: Yearning to Breathe Free Webisode 10
This wonderful website, Freedom, a History of US, based on the series by Joy Hakim, presents the tenth webisode, Yearning to be Breathe Free. Through text, photographs, and audio segments you can get a good picture of the state of...
University of Pennsylvania
Ten Days in a Mad House by Nellie Bly
The harrowing experiences of Nellie Bly as she observed undercover the workings of Blackwell Island Insane Asylum are reproduced here as they were originally published.
Blackdog Media
Classic Reader: The Jungle by Upton Sinclair
Classic Reader provides numerous classic works from famous authors. First published as a serial in the Appeal to Reason 1905, one work is The Jungle, by Upton Sinclair. It exposed harsh working conditions in the meat packing industry.
Other
Brass Check: Tell the Truth and Run George Seldes
Read about George Seldes (1890-1995), a muckraker and press critic. Read some of his writings from his column "In Fact." Read his autobiography and a brief biography. There are links to other sites about George Seldes. Site by Brass Check.
Wikimedia
Wikipedia: The Jungle
An encyclopedia article from Wikipedia on Upton Sinclair's landmark novel, "The Jungle," describing its importance and giving an outline of the plot.
National Women's Hall of Fame
National Women's Hall of Fame: Ida Tarbell
Read this portrait of Ida Tarbell, a Progressive Era journalist known for her innovative methods of investigative journalism.
US National Archives
Nara: American Originals: Meat Packing House Inspections
Check out this National Archives and Records Administration site for a short explanation of the term "muckraker," and for a quote by Sinclair, whose writings influenced the passage of the Meat Inspection Act in 1907.
Baertracks
Creative Quotations: Upton Sinclair
Read and think about what the great "muckraker" Upton Sinclair had to say about various topics. Also provides source information.