Investigative Journalists: The Muckrakers

Crusaders

Overview

Students analyze primary sources to learn about the muckrakers, a group of journalists at the turn of the twentieth century who were among the first in the press to expose social and economic injustices through investigative reporting and photojournalism. After, students write a short news article on a current issue with a social justice focus.

Related Resources

Grade

High School, Middle School

Subjects

Civics, English Language Arts, Social Studies

Length

200 minutes

Topics

Ida B. Wells, Ida Tarbell, investigative reporting, Jacob Riis, journalism, lynching, meatpacking, monopolies, muckrakers, poverty, progressive era, The Jungle, Upton Sinclair

Author

PBS NewsHour Extra

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