A key literary work for AP US History, this refers to Upton Sinclair’s 1906 novel, The Jungle. While intended to highlight the plight of immigrant workers in the meatpacking industry, its graphic descriptions of unsanitary conditions became its most impactful aspect. For instance, its depictions of diseased, rotten, and contaminated meat shocked the public.
Its importance lies in catalyzing significant regulatory reform. The public outcry sparked by the novel’s portrayal of the meatpacking industry directly led to the passage of the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, both in 1906. These laws established federal oversight of food and drug production, protecting consumers from harmful products and practices. This demonstrates the power of muckraking journalism to influence government policy and improve public health.