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cover of episode The Progressive Era | The Muckrakers | 2

The Progressive Era | The Muckrakers | 2

2025/5/14
logo of podcast American History Tellers

American History Tellers
AI Deep Dive AI Chapters Transcript
People
A
Albert Beveridge
C
Congressman
D
David G. Phillips
G
Government Inspectors
I
Ida Tarbell
L
Lincoln Steffens
L
Lindsey Graham
M
Mine Operator
S
Samuel McClure
S
Standard Oil Executive
T
Theodore Roosevelt
U
Union Leader
U
Upton Sinclair
W
Worker
Topics
工人：我每天都在清理地上的碎肉，但你绝对想不到，这些东西最终都会被做成罐头肉。老板们根本不会放过任何可以利用的边角料，那些发霉的肉会用硼砂处理，然后绞成香肠。腐烂的火腿会用化学物质掩盖气味，所有这些都会被用于食品生产，简直令人作呕。我不得不忍受这一切，因为我需要养家糊口，我的妻子生病了，我们还有一个儿子要照顾，而且很快又会迎来一个新的小生命，房东下个月还要涨房租。为了生存，我只能忍受。 林赛·格雷厄姆：1904年秋天，作家厄普顿·辛克莱尔卧底调查了芝加哥肉类加工区的工作条件。他将亲眼目睹的恐怖景象写成小说《丛林》，震惊了整个国家，并促使国会采取行动，改善食品安全和劳工条件。记者们揭露了工业时代的剥削、腐败和公司不当行为，从而激发了公众对进步改革的支持。

Deep Dive

Chapters
Upton Sinclair's undercover investigation in Chicago's meatpacking plants revealed appalling working conditions and unsanitary practices. The workers faced dangerous environments, low wages, and inhumane treatment, which prompted public outrage and legislative action.
  • Appalling working conditions in Chicago's meatpacking plants in 1904
  • Unsanitary practices, including using spoiled meat and chemicals
  • Low wages and inhumane treatment of immigrant workers

Shownotes Transcript

In the early 1900s, a new generation of crusading writers and journalists captured the nation’s attention by digging up dirt on big business and government and advocating for change. They became known as “muckrakers.” Ida Tarbell exposed the ruthless machinations of John D. Rockefeller, the tycoon who built Standard Oil. Lincoln Steffens exposed bribery in city governments across America. And Upton Sinclair chronicled the horrific conditions in Chicago’s meat packing plants and slaughterhouses. But in galvanizing public support for progressive reform, they also clashed with President Theodore Roosevelt, who was fighting his own battles with conservatives in Congress.

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