Andrew Crempa
3/16/75

Prior to the period of 1900-1920, Americans perceived the rapid transformations of society to be insufferable and, likewise, prognosticated instability and emerging chaos. However, by the turn of the twentieth century, these perspectives evolved into a rather optimistic view. The Progressive Era thus commenced. This movement brought both political and social innovations that invoked the desire to enact order and justice on the currently strained society. These staunch “progressivists” believed in society’s capability to advance, grow, and enhance through various reforms at the national level. These reformers, along with the federal government, proved effective in their quest for betterment of society: their efforts resulting in both successes and limitations. One of the most prominent issues dealt with the meat packing industry and the closely associated issue concerning the safety of medicines. The meat factories were the epitome of filth: dirty and soggy floors, rarely washed tables, and ill-ventilated rooms. Utterly ignorant of cleanliness and the danger of their work place to their health, workers shoveled fallen meat scraps into machines for chopping: combining despicable leftovers into the meat (Doc B). Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle revealed these atrocities and others including how employees often became victims of tuberculosis and various other illnesses (O.I.). His vivid description of the unsanitary and life-threatening conditions reached President Theodore Roosevelt who inspired Congress to take action (O.I.). Shortly afterwards, the Meat Inspection Act was passed, providing a government agency to inspect and certify health of all meats sold in the United States. Accordingly, the Pure Food and Drug Act restricted the sale of dangerous and ineffective medicines and required a list of ingredients to be labeled on every product