Progressive Movement Practice Exam

What legislative action was prompted by Upton Sinclair's book The Jungle?

1. Stronger prohibition laws

2. Support for the national conservation movement

3. A system for meat inspection

4. Legalization of strikes and boycotts

The correct answer is: A system for meat inspection

Upton Sinclair's novel "The Jungle," published in 1906, exposed the harsh conditions and unsanitary practices prevalent in the meatpacking industry. The vivid and shocking descriptions of food safety violations and the treatment of immigrant workers drew public attention and outrage. As a result of this public outcry, the federal government recognized the need for reform in the food industry. The significant outcome was the passage of the Meat Inspection Act of 1906, which established a system for the government to inspect meat products to ensure they were processed under sanitary conditions and met safety standards. This legislation marked a pivotal moment in consumer protection and food safety, leading to increased regulatory oversight in the food industry. In contrast, the other options represented different areas of reform or issues that were not directly a result of Sinclair's work. Stronger prohibition laws were influenced by the temperance movement rather than "The Jungle." The national conservation movement was more about preserving natural resources and was prompted by other advocates like John Muir or Gifford Pinchot. Legalization of strikes and boycotts was part of labor reform, which, while concurrent with Sinclair's time, was not the primary focus of "The Jungle." The urgency for meat inspection arose distinctly from the revelations