Theodore Roosevelt

Chris Harlow
Nov. 20, 2008
Itawamba Community College
American History II

Chris Harlow
Nov. 20, 2008
American History II
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt , also known as Teddy, was the twenty -sixth President of the United
States. He was born in a section of New York City called Gramercy in the modern day .
Theodore was born into the wealth along with his other three siblings. He was the son of
Theodore Roosevelt Sr., a New York City philanthropist, and Mittie Bulloch, a southern belle
from the state of Georgia. Roosevelt was sickly for much of his childhood but still had a passion
for Zoology. This later led to the formation of the Roosevelt Museum of Natural History.
Teddy looked up to his father , he stated, My father , Theodore Roosevelt, was the best man I
ever knew. He combined strength and courage with gentleness, tenderness, and great
unselfishness. Thus, he may have been a major influence in the famous quote , Speak softly
and carry a big stick.
Roosevelt played a major role in American history; he started a group formerly known as
the Rough Riders. This was a volunteer calvary regement during the Spanish-American War,
Roosevelt led them in his famous calvary charge up San Juan Hill. Roosevelt also was the
Assistant Secrtary of the Navy, in which he advocated war with Spain. He returned home from
the war as a hero, this helping him acquire the role of governor in New York. As governor
Roosevelt shook up he states political machine, which helped him on his way to the
Vice Presidents position. In 1901, William McKinley was assassinated, making Teddy the
President of the United States.
Theodore inherited the Presidency in a building process; we had just ended the Spanish
American War and were ceded the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. Roosevelt now had to
decide how the Philippines would govern themselves. In 1901, he appointed William Howard
Taft as the governor of the archipelago, Taft then recommended the creation of a civil
government. One of Roosevelts most famous foreign affairs is his dealings with Panama. For
years the U.S. had dreamed of a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. In 1901, the
Senate approved a route through Panama, a strip of land owned by the Columbians. The
Columbians tried to balk on the deal, but the U.S. threatened with support of a Panamanian
Revolution. In 1903, Panama gave the U.S. control of the area for $10 million and an annual
payment of $250,000. The U.S. built the Panama Canal, thus giving them dominant military
power in Central America.
Roosevelt also formulated the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine. The Monroe
Doctrine prevented European intervention into the Americas, although a great idea, it needed to
be innovated a little. Thus, Roosevelt introduced the Roosevelt Corollary, it simply stated the
U.S. would intervene in Latin America if needed. It also announced that the U.S. would now act
as a policeman of the Western Hemisphere. Roosevelt was showing off his peacekeeping
ability.
Roosevelt was a great foreign affair guru, but he also dealt with an abundance of
domestic issues at home. Roosevelts most common domestic issue is the Square Deal. In
the fall of 1902, there was a coal shortage due to the Pennsylvania strike. Roosevelt being the
well known peacekeeper thought he should intervene. Instead of calling in troops to force the
miners back to work, Roosevelt threatened the management of the mines. His plan was to take
over the mines and let the federal government run them. The owners and labor unions then
agreed to come to a settlement, thus becoming the Square Deal.
Roosevelt also coined the name Trust Buster because of his dealings with trust
companies. Roosevelt dissolved around 44 trust companies in two terms as President. These
companies had nothing to do with the government, they were privately own. This allowing them
to be unfair and harsh to their workers, Roosevelt did not approve this. Roosevelt ended up
busting many trust, such as the railroad trust, Swift & Company beef trust, Standard Oil, and the
American Tobacco Company.
Theodore Roosevelts Presidency focused on the greater good for all Americans. It
helped shape our country into an advocate for peace and prosperity. His policies helped the
common people and regulated the big business. His legacy will be carried on for eternal
generations to hear and he will always be remembered for his famous quote, Speak softly and
carry a big stick, and you will go far.