1. The document discusses the progressive era in the United States from the late 1800s to early 1900s, which was a period of political reforms and social change.
2. Muckrakers exposed issues like poor working conditions, high railroad prices hurting farmers, and unsanitary meat packing plants. Their work brought public attention to these problems.
3. In response to public pressure, laws were passed to address the issues, like the Meat Inspection Act due to Upton Sinclair's book "The Jungle" exposing the meat industry. The progressive era led to reforms that improved people's lives.