How did Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle affect American citizens?
Choose one
Americans were bewildered by why anyone would want to work in a slaughterhouse.
Americans were disgusted by the filth and demanded food regulations.
Americans were concerned about the business tactics of robber barons.
Americans were upset by the mistreatment of students in Indian schools.
The correct answer is: Americans were disgusted by the filth and demanded food regulations.
Upton Sinclair's novel, The Jungle, was an influential piece of literature that shed light on the unsanitary conditions and exploitative practices in the meatpacking industry in the early 1900s. The book depicted the gruesome working conditions, contaminated food, and unethical treatment of workers in the Chicago meatpacking industry. As a result, it evoked strong emotions among American citizens.
The description of these unsanitary and unregulated practices in The Jungle sparked disgust among readers. The images of rat-infested slaughterhouses, spoiled meat being sold, and workers falling into vats of food shocked the public. This led to a widespread demand for food regulations and sanitary reforms.
As a direct consequence of the public outcry, the federal government took action by passing legislation to address the issues raised in The Jungle. In particular, the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act were passed in 1906. These laws aimed to protect consumers from adulterated and misbranded food products, ensuring the safety and quality of the food supply.
Thus, Upton Sinclair's The Jungle played a pivotal role in creating awareness, shaping public opinion, and leading to significant changes in food regulation in the United States.