Muckrakers and the NAACP - Progressive reform

Booker T. Washington

Achieve equality through technical education - teach people a skill or trade (carpenter, plumber, electrician, farmer, etc.) Founded Tuskegee Institute to teach African Americans a skill or trade He thought equality would be achieved over the long run He did not openly criticize the president over the lack of civil rights reform

What were some of the problems African Americans faced during the Progressive Era?

African Americans faced discrimination in the workplace and in the community. This includes lower wages, segregation in public places, voting restrictions, and a poorer education.

William Edward Burghardt (W.E.B.) Du Bois

Believed in immediate equality based upon the Constitution -Co-founded the National Association for the Advancement for Colored People (NAACP) Strong supporter of education

Jacob Riis, How the Other Half Lives

Early 1900's writer who exposed social and political evils in the U.S. Muckraker novel. Social Welfare (poor living conditions): Overcrowded tenements and slums, unsanitary conditions, disease and sickness Jacob Riis wrote "How the Other Half Lives," that exposed living condition problems of urban tenements. Cities and states will enact laws to protect tenants.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People(NAACP)

Founded in 1909 Goal was to assist minority groups within the U.S. to achieve equality Goal was to assist minority groups within the U.S. to achieve equality Goal was to assist minority groups within the U.S. to achieve equality

Plessy v Ferguson 1897

He was classified "7/8 white" or octoroon according to the language of the time. one great grandmother of African descent both of his parents are identified as free persons of color on his birth certificate. The racial categorization is based on appearance rather than genealogy Allowed segregation based on race.

Ida Tarbell, History of the Standard Oil Company

Many large companies such as Rockefeller's Standard Oil Co. used unfair business practices (monopolies & trusts) to force small co's out of business. The gov't used the Sherman Anti-trust and Clayton Anti-trust Acts to break up Standard Oil Company into smaller companies. President Roosevelt became known as the trustbuster. Tarbell wrote The History of Standard Oil.

Why didn't politicians, especially the president, try to reform civil rights?

Many politicians were afraid of losing votes when running for reelection. The president did not push for civil rights reform because he was concerned about losing the support of Southern political leaders. Southern leaders would vote against programs supported by the president.

What role did muckrakers play during the progressive era?

Muckrakers created a public demand to reform governments, promote social welfare; and to create economic reform.

Thomas Nast

Politics: Political machines & bosses controlled many local gov'ts around the country using illegal tactics. Used political cartoons to expose political corruption Lead to reforms such as primary, recall, initiative, and referendum.

Upton Sinclair, The Jungle

Poor Working Conditions: The Jungle, the book's main purpose was to expose hazardous working conditions in the meatpacking industry and the difficult lives of immigrants. Instead, more Americans were abhorred at the unsanitary conditions of meat preparation.

What were the key issues that prevented equality at the time?

Supreme Court decision "Plessy v. Ferguson" claimed "separate but equal" is constitutional thus allowing segregation Jim Crow laws allowed segregation to continue Restricted voter rights through literacy tests and poll taxes

What is a muckraker?

a journalist who uncovers abuse and corruption of business and politics