Question

Write a newspaper article as if you were a muckraker. Describe the details of the fire, focusing on what the tragedy demonstrates about working conditions and the jobs open to women and immigrants.

Answer 1

"Muckracker" was a term used in the United States to describe American journalists who supported legal reforms in institutions (usually government institutions). They attacked these as ineffective or corrupt, and wanted to change the status quo. They would most likely write an article like this:

A tragedy that could have been prevented

We have learned about a terrible tragedy at the Triangle Shirtwaist Company factory in New York City. A great fire has burned the factory, killin 145 of its workers. However, we are not only sad, we are enraged. Our anger comes from the fact that the workers' death were entirely preventable. The deaths occurred because of a lack of safety features that could have protected the workers. The people responsible for this need to be brought to justice. Moreover, we need to demand action from the government. This tragedy demonstrates that factory workers continue to labor under dangerous and precarious conditions. This is particularly heartbreaking when we think of the number of women and immigrants who were likely in this group. If this tragedy makes you feel sad and angry, demand change from your local representative!

Answer 2

The Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire was one of the worst tragedies of the early 20th century. Due to the careless attitudes of business owners and their lack of regard for worker safety, 146 individuals died trying to escape a fire that happened in the workplace. The inability of these women to escape the factory due to the doors being locked shut and only having one fire exit resulted in mass casualties that will not soon be forgotten. This experience shows that women, especially immigrant women, are in severe danger in workplaces all over the United States.