What effect did the Muckrakers have on American life?

The Muckrakers noticeably lessened corruption in many aspects of American life. The Muckrakers were a group of intrepid reporters who exposed many grave injustices.

Lincoln Steffens became one of the most famous Muckrakers after he exposed several city officials in St. Louis who were working with big business and stealing from the public treasury. Public outcry soon saw numerous reforms forced upon local government officials.

Other famous Muckrakers include Ida Tarbell, who tackled the oil industry, as well as the business practices of the oil magnate John Rockefeller and Thomas Lawson, who focused on the stock market.