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What was the focus of both jacob riis, in how the other half lives, and lincoln steffens, in the shame of the cities?.

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Final answer:

Jacob Riis and Lincoln Steffens focused on exposing social issues during the Progressive Era: Riis through photojournalism about poverty in tenements and Steffens on political corruption in city governments, both prompting public awareness and reforms.

Step-by-step explanation:

The focus of both Jacob Riis, in How the Other Half Lives, and Lincoln Steffens, in The Shame of the Cities, was to expose and draw attention to the social issues of their time. Riis used photojournalism to reveal the dire living conditions of the urban poor in New York's tenements. His work combined with his storytelling effectively highlighted the impact of poverty on immigrant families, leading to public support for reforms in tenement regulations. On the other hand, Steffens’ work concentrated on political corruption in city governments, outlining the deep-seated problems in American cities due to corrupt alliances between businesses and politicians.

These authors, part of a larger group known as the muckrakers, played critical roles in the Progressive Era reforms by informing the public and sparking the impetus for change. Their efforts exemplify how investigative journalism and visual storytelling can advocate for social reform and influence policy-making for the betterment of society.

User CoolGuyHasChillDay
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Final answer:

Jacob Riis and Lincoln Steffens both aimed to shed light on the struggles of urban poverty and corruption, with Riis focusing on tenement conditions through photojournalism and Steffens on political corruption.

Step-by-step explanation:

The focus of Jacob Riis, in How the Other Half Lives, and Lincoln Steffens, in The Shame of the Cities, was on exposing the harsh realities of urban poverty and political corruption in America during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Riis, through his photojournalism, revealed the deplorable living conditions in the tenements of New York City to a wider public audience, inspiring reform. Steffens, on the other hand, focused on unveiling the corrupt relationships between government officials and business interests that undermined democracy and contributed to the plight of the urban poor.

User Ben Kouba
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