Name: ______Date: ______Social Studies Period: ______Progressive Era

1. Imagine that you are a muckraker. Choose a problem below that you would want to expose and circle it.

Poor Conditions Working Conditions for Abuses in the Meat in Tenements Women and Children Packing Industry

Political Corruption Abuses of Big Business and City Bosses and monopolies

2. Complete one of the following: • Pretend you are one of the muckraker journalists. Write a front page story exposing the abuse that the muckraker exposed. There should be dramatic headlines, pictures, and a 1 page story discussing the abuse. Make sure that your story has all 5 W’s, the date is realistic to the time period and you have your facts straight. (Remember to use big, bold headings and pictures (“Yellow Journalism”)

OR

• Pretend you are one of the muckraker journalists. Draw a political cartoon that reveals the horrors, corruption, or injustice in one of these industries/cities. The cartoon should have a title, quote(s), or labels to better demonstrate the topic. Be sure to label key people and objects appropriately. On the back of your product give a one paragraph explanation of the cartoon and the point you are trying to make through your illustrations, labels, and quotes.

Each student will draw/create his or her own political cartoon/news article on some reform of the Progressive Era. This project will count as one assessment grade (quiz). The cartoon option must be drawn in color using colored pencils, crayons, or markers (See Rubric). Students may also create their own political cartoon using Microsoft PowerPoint and clipart that is appropriate to one of the topics. The most important thing to remember is your use of symbolism and exaggeration to make your point. Your cartoon must express the sentiment of the Progressive Era and the general opinions on the problem that you are drawing or writing about. Remember that there are many political cartoons in your textbook to look at for examples. The front-page story option can be made on Microsoft PowerPoint or Microsoft Publisher (See Rubric). Be creative☺. The project should be on a normal sheet 8” x 11” sheet of computer paper. Examples of Political Cartoons and Yellow