Research Paper On Ida Tarbell The Muckraker

Ida Tarbell the Muckraker: Digging up the Dirt

During the late 1800's and early 1900's, change in American society was very evident in the economy. An extraordinary expansion of the industrial economy was taking place, presenting new forms of business organization and bringing trusts and holding companies into the national picture. The turn of the century is known as the "Great Merger Movement:" over two thousand corporations were "swallowed up" by one hundred and fifty giant holding companies.1 This powerful change in industry brought about controversy and was a source of social anxiety. How were people to deal with this great movement and understand the reasons behind the new advancements? Through the use of propaganda, the public

President Theodore Roosevelt had given the term ‘muckraking’ to this type of investigative journalism done by Ida Tarbell. Roosevelt did not fully support her work because of its "focus and tone." The President got this name from a character in John Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress. According to Roosevelt, the character was a "man with a muckrake who raked up filth at his feet." He complained that the journalists focused too much on the "evils in the body politic," and failed to see its good.4 However, he did feel that the abuses of the trusts needed to be curbed. Muckraking was a by-product of early twentieth century magazines, most notably McClure’s Magazine.5 Muckraking had its debut in January 1903, with the launch of three articles, each attacking a different American trust. With this issue of McClure’s Magazine, the "nation had a rueful example of how a millionaire's business could affect their lives."6 This issue sold out quickly from the news stands and is still considered one of the most famous issues an American magazine has ever

The purpose of the South Improvement Company was to "regulate the price of crude and refined oil by the control of the output…a control of oil transportation giving special privileges." She also found in The History of the South Improvement Company pamphlet the fact that The Standard Oil Company owned the largest share in the South Improvement Company. This proved they were largely responsible for the wrongdoings of the Oil War. Rockefeller had not gone into the South Improvement Company to save his business, but to destroy others.11 During the Oil War, Rockefeller had convinced his rivals to sell to him. "When Standard Oil Company and twenty constituent companies merged their stock, the company became possibly the richest holding company in the world."12 Then in 1871, Rockefeller purchased the charter for The South Improvement Company and asked that everyone involved sign a pledge of secrecy. Rockefeller was able to accomplish his goal of gaining control of the oil industry, which was exactly the intention of the South Improvement Company. Rockefeller did this through the work of his own intelligence. He had the ability to analyze a problem and find the key to control. The transportation of oil was the key. He was able to drive out all his competitors by working with the railroads, which allowed him to receive rebates and special rates. This prevented other companies from getting their oil to