The History of the Standard Oil Company by Ida Tarbell
- 1. "The History of the Standard Oil Company," authored by Ida Tarbell and published in 1904, is a seminal work that meticulously chronicles the rise and operations of the Standard Oil Company, led by John D. Rockefeller. A pioneering journalist and muckraker, Tarbell's expose is not merely an account of business practices; it embodies a narrative of ethical scrutiny, highlighting the monopolistic tactics employed by Rockefeller that stifled competition and manipulated markets. Through extensive research, including interviews and detailed examinations of corporate records, Tarbell paints a vivid picture of the ruthless strategies that Standard Oil utilized to dominate the oil industry in America, which included aggressive pricing, secret rebates, and intimidating competitors. Her work not only unveils the challenges faced by smaller businesses but also addresses the broader implications of corporate power on society and the economy. Tarbell's investigation played a critical role in the Progressive Era, igniting public outrage against monopolies and ultimately contributing to regulatory reforms, including the antitrust actions that led to the dissolution of Standard Oil in 1911. This pivotal text not only serves as a historical account but functions as a call to action, advocating for accountability and fairness in the industrial landscape, making it a landmark in investigative journalism and a defining moment in the struggle for corporate regulation in the United States."
Who was the author of 'The History of the Standard Oil Company'?
A) Lincoln Steffens
B) Ida Tarbell
C) Jacob Riis
D) Upton Sinclair
- 2. In what year did Ida Tarbell's series start appearing in McClure's Magazine?
A) 1910
B) 1902
C) 1898
D) 1905
- 3. What was one of the main tactics used by Standard Oil to eliminate competition?
A) Lobbying Congress
B) Predatory pricing
C) Vertical integration
D) Horizontal integration
- 4. What was a significant outcome of Tarbell's work?
A) Standard Oil's acquisition of Exxon
B) Antitrust action against Standard Oil
C) The founding of the EPA
D) Laws against labor unions
- 5. Which prominent industrialist was the founder of Standard Oil?
A) Henry Ford
B) J.P. Morgan
C) Andrew Carnegie
D) John D. Rockefeller
- 6. Ida Tarbell's journalism emphasized what ethical principle?
A) Profit over ethics
B) Truth in reporting
C) Government control
D) Sensationalism
- 7. What year did the Supreme Court dissolve Standard Oil?
A) 1915
B) 1908
C) 1911
D) 1918
- 8. Which technique did Tarbell use to uncover Standard Oil's practices?
A) Investigative journalism
B) Censorship
C) Creative writing
D) Propaganda
- 9. Along with Tarbell, which other muckrakers were prominent in the Progressive Era?
A) Lincoln Steffens
B) F. Scott Fitzgerald
C) Mark Twain
D) Ernest Hemingway
- 10. What was the publication that first printed Tarbell's work?
A) The Atlantic Monthly
B) The Saturday Evening Post
C) Harper's Weekly
D) McClure's Magazine
- 11. What type of journalism is Ida Tarbell known for?
A) Muckraking
B) Photojournalism
C) Investigative Reporting
D) Feature Writing
- 12. In which state was Standard Oil founded?
A) Pennsylvania
B) Illinois
C) Ohio
D) New York
- 13. What was Tarbell's profession before writing about Standard Oil?
A) Economist
B) Journalist
C) Lawyer
D) Politician
- 14. What did Tarbell want to promote through her writings?
A) Capitalism
B) Fair business practices
C) Socialism
D) Environmentalism
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