With the increase in prosperity brought about by industrialization came a number of ills such as the exploitation of workers, including children. Unbridled capitalism and the pursuit of wealth, while also giving rise to the middle class, led to the greatest wealth disparity the country had ever seen at the expense of the working class, whose members found themselves working six or seven days a week up to 12 hours a day in horrible conditions, often not making enough to support themselves and their families. In response, a group of people emerged, the Progressives, who sought ways to make the lives of this wretched class better. Among the most prominent Progressives was President Theodore Roosevelt and his progressive sentiments are illustrated in his speech, Who is a Progressive? According to Roosevelt, what are the characteristics of a progressive? What are the goals of progressivism and what areas of society should be addressed? What progressive achievements does Roosevelt highlight in his speech?
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