The problems they wrote about were largely caused by the rapid industrialization and urbanization of the United States during this period. Here's a breakdown:
* Jacob Riis focused on the deplorable living conditions of the urban poor in New York City.
* Causes:
* Overcrowding: The influx of immigrants and internal migrants led to densely packed tenements with inadequate sanitation and ventilation.
* Poverty: Low wages, lack of job security, and discrimination often trapped people in poverty, unable to afford decent housing.
* Lack of regulation: The government was slow to address these issues, leaving landlords with little incentive to improve conditions.
* Upton Sinclair exposed the horrific conditions in the meatpacking industry in Chicago in his novel *The Jungle*.
* Causes:
* Profit over safety: Companies focused on maximizing profits, prioritizing speed and efficiency over worker safety and hygiene.
* Lack of government oversight: The government failed to establish and enforce regulations for food safety and workplace conditions.
* Exploitation of labor: Workers were often paid low wages, had long hours, and faced dangerous working conditions.
Other contributing factors to the problems exposed by muckrakers:
* Rise of monopolies and trusts: These powerful entities controlled industries and could dictate wages and working conditions, often to the detriment of workers.
* Political corruption: Bribery and influence peddling allowed industries to evade regulations and exploit workers with impunity.
It's important to remember that the muckrakers played a crucial role in bringing these problems to the attention of the public and pushing for change. Their work helped spark social reform movements, leading to laws and regulations that improved the lives of many Americans.