1900s MUCKRAKER PROJECT 

The year is 1901. As you know, the United States is undergoing many changes economically, politically, and socially. Many of these changes 
have altered the United States for the better (i.e. inventions, jobs, technology, opportunity, unions); however, this was not the case for all. In 
fact, some of these new changes caused resounding negative impacts on Americans. Muckrakers played key roles by identifying these 
problems & suggesting solutions to elected officials. You’re now a muckraker. (Oh yeah!)  
 
Your mission is to educate the President, Congress, and other Americans about the ​ONE​ Progressive Era problem you 
think is the most important to solve. In order to spread awareness, you will create a presentation for Congress 
highlighting the issue you feel most connected to.  
 
Ultimately, then, Congress will spend more time and money to fix that problem.  
 
Y​our task is to create a G
​ oogle Slides presentation​ that will be shown to members of Congress.  
Your presentation should address a topic from the following list. Make sure you choose a topic that is interesting to you! 
 
Women’s Rights | Drugs & Alcohol | Big Business | Workplace Conditions | Environmental Issues | Racial Discrimination | Child Labor | City Life 
 

#1 TITLE SLIDE    #2 CONTEXT SLIDE    #3 PHOTOGRAPH SLIDE 

  Describe your Progressive Era-problem.  Visualize your Progressive Era-problem. 
(Include your topic, name, and class period)     
● Explain​: How did this problem get so bad?  ● Include 2-3 photographs that SHOW the 
● Think​: How might this connect to previous  problem occurring during the correct time 
units? Try to make a connection to either the  period (these must have a citation) 
Civil War, Reconstruction, Westward  ● Explain​: Point out what is specifically going 
Expansion, or Industrialization  on in the photograph and explain how that 
represents your problem. 
         

#4 MUCKRAKER SLIDE    #5 SOLUTIONS SLIDE    #6 CONTINUITY SLIDE 

Analyze an advocate.  Critique the solutions.  Examine the current state of that issue. 
     
● Discuss o​ ne real muckraker who advocated for  ● Explain​: What are two solutions that were  ● Analyze​: How does this problem still exist 
your cause (include their name & a picture)  set in place to alleviate your problem (new  today? Include evidence! (video, articles, 
What are two things they personally did to try  laws/policies, etc.)  photographs, etc.) 
to solve the problem?  ● Discuss​: In what ways is it still the same? In 
what ways is it different?