Unveiling the Past: Key Figures and Events that Shaped American Labor Rights and Democracy

1. The group of authors and journalists who exposed the horrible working conditions in American industry in the early 20th century were known as the **Muckrakers**. Their work led to increased awareness and subsequent government intervention to protect workers' rights. 2. One of the first settlement houses in the US, established in 1889 by Jane Addams in Chicago, Illinois, was the **Hull House**. It aimed to provide social and educational opportunities for working-class people, particularly immigrants. 3. A leading Muckraker who wrote the 1904 book "The History of the Standard Oil Company" was **Ida Tarbell**. Her investigative journalism played a significant role in the eventual breakup of the Standard Oil monopoly. 4. The amendment that provided for the direct election of U.S. Senators was the **17th Amendment** to the United States Constitution, ratified in 1913. Prior to this amendment, Senators were chosen by state legislatures. 5. The process by which the people can remove an elected official from office is known as a **recall**. This allows voters to remove an official before their term ends through a direct vote, often initiated by a petition.