Case study: Who is a progressive?
Marianna Gurmeza
Chamberlain College of Nursing
History 405
April 2019
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, Case Study: Who is a Progressive? 2
President Roosevelt was one of the best and well-known presidents of all times. He brought
new excitement and power to the Presidency, as he vigorously led Congress and the American
public toward progressive reforms and strong foreign policy. He took the view that the President
as a “steward of the people” should take whatever action necessary for the public good unless
expressly forbidden by law or the Constitution.” I did not usurp power,” he wrote, “but I did
greatly broaden the use of executive power” (www.whitehouse.gov). In April 1912 he gave a
speech with a name Who is a Progressive? and spoke in details about Progressiveness and its
characteristics.
According to Roosevelt, what are the characteristics of a progressive?
In his speech Roosevelt stated, “Every man who fights fearlessly and effectively against
special privilege in any form is to extend a Progressive.” Roosevelt is trying to tell us that
Progressives are people, who fights and stands for the forward movement, people who are for
inspiring and progress for the people and someone who has faith in the people. In general
progressive era focused its worked on purification of the government, modernization, on family
and education, prohibition, and women’s suffrage (courses.lumenlearning.com).
Explain what are the characteristics of those who are "anti-progressive" and what types
of activities do they engage in?
In his speech, he says that “anti-progressive” is a person who directly or indirectly, supports
privilege and special interests. Whether he acts from evil motives or merely because he is puzzle-
headed or dull of mental vision or lacking in social sympathy, or whether he simply lacks interest
in the subject, is a reactionary (Who is a Progressive?). Anti-progressives people engaged in
reinforcing protections for other groups and anti-majoritarian activism. They tend to promote the
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