The name applied to certain United States writers who exposed social, economic, and political problems in the two decades before World War I. Their writings aroused public indignation and brought reform legislation such as the Pure Food and Drug Act (1906) and Federal Reserve Act (1913).

An effort to cure many of the ills of American society that had developed during the great spurt of industrial growth in the last quarter of the 19th century.

This act helped ensure food safety by providing that federal agents inspect meat and meat-processing plants involved in interstate commerce.

This act prohibited mislabeled and impure foods, drinks, and drugs in interstate commerce.

Wrote The Jungle, exposing the filthy conditions in which meat was processed.