Theodore Roosevelt was elected as the 26th President of the United States after the assassination of former President William McKinley. He served as president from 1901 to 1909 and was the youngest president in US history—just under 43. 

Roosevelt actively steered Congress and the American public towards progressive reforms and a robust foreign policy, bringing fresh energy and strength to the position.

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was born on October 27, 1858, and passed away on January 6, 1919. He was an American politician, statesman, soldier, environmentalist, naturalist, historian, and writer who was also known by his initials, T. R., or Teddy.

Before being elected president, he served as the 33rd governor of New York from 1899 to 1900, as well as the 25th vice president under President William McKinley from March to September 1901. Upon taking office, Roosevelt established himself as the leader of the Republican Party and became a proponent of progressive and anti-trust measures.

His “Square Deal” domestic initiatives were promoted as a leader of the progressive movement. Roosevelt advanced further left-leaning programs amid rising resistance from Republican leaders after being elected to a full term in 1904. He prepared William Howard Taft, a trusted supporter, to succeed him as president.

Taft’s conservatism irritated Roosevelt, who belatedly made an effort to secure the Republican presidential candidacy in 1912. He tried, fell short, quit, and started a new Progressive Party. He campaigned for president in 1912, and the Democratic nominee Woodrow Wilson won because of the divide. Roosevelt oversaw a four-month journey to the Amazon basin after the loss, when he almost perished from a tropical illness.

Roosevelt thought about running for the 1920 presidential elections, but his health kept deteriorating, and he passed away in 1919. He is rated as one of the greatest presidents in American history in surveys of historians and political scientists.

Family, Early Years, and Education

Family

Theodore Roosevelt was the second of four children born to socialite Martha Stewart Bulloch and businessman and philanthropist Theodore Roosevelt Sr. He had a younger brother named Elliott, a younger sister named Corinne, and an older sister named Anna.

Early Life

Roosevelt’s bad health and crippling asthma greatly influenced him throughout his formative years. He frequently suffered from unexpected overnight asthma attacks that gave him the sensation of being suffocated to death.

At the age of seven, his passion for zoology began to grow. The “Roosevelt Museum of Natural History” was founded by Roosevelt and two of his relatives. He wrote a paper titled “The Natural History of Insects” at the age of nine in which he documented his observations of insects. His father, who had a position of prominence in New York’s cultural community, had a big impact on him.

Education

Most of Roosevelt’s tutors and parents were involved in his homeschooling. He excelled in geography and was intelligent in history, biology, French, and German, but had trouble with arithmetic and the classical languages.

On September 27, 1876, he started classes at Harvard College. He excelled in his classes in physics, philosophy, and rhetoric but struggled in Latin and Greek. He was an experienced naturalist and published ornithologist who had diligently studied biology.

Roosevelt received $65,000 (the equivalent of $1,971,069 in 2022) from his father’s estate, which was more than enough money for him to live comfortably for the rest of his life. Roosevelt moved back into his family’s New York City apartment after abandoning his initial plan to attend Columbia Law School in favor of the law school.

Marriages

Roosevelt married socialite Alice Hathaway Lee in 1880. On February 12, 1884, their daughter, Alice Lee Roosevelt, was born. Two days later, the newborn mother passed away from renal failure that pregnancy had concealed.

In the same home, at 3:00 a.m., his mother Martha had passed away from typhoid disease eleven hours earlier. Distraught, Roosevelt placed the infant Alice in his sister Bamie’s care as he mourned; at the age of three, he took custody of Alice.

Roosevelt married Edith Kermit Carow, a boyhood acquaintance, on December 2, 1886. Among their children, Theodore “Ted” III was born in 1887, followed by Kermit in 1889, Ethel in 1891, Archibald in 1894, and Quentin in 1897. They also raised Alice, Roosevelt’s first wife’s daughter, who frequently had disagreements with her stepmother.

Naval History

Roosevelt started a thorough investigation of the part the US Navy performed in the War of 1812 while he was a student at Harvard. He examined primary sources and official US Navy archives with the help of his two uncles, eventually producing “The Naval War of 1812” in 1882, which received recognition for its knowledge and writing style.

Roosevelt paid particular heed to Mahan’s insistence that only a country with the most potent fleet in the world could control the world’s waters, fully utilize its diplomacy, and protect its own frontiers. For the duration of his professional life, he integrated Mahan’s theories into his opinions on naval strategy.

Political Career

Roosevelt had a diversified political career, in which he worked in the New York State Assembly, Governorship, Police Commissioner, etc. 

Member of NY State Assembly

Roosevelt was a member of the New York State Assembly (New York Co., 21st D.) in 1882, 1883, and 1884. He blocked a corrupt effort by financier Jay Gould to lower his taxes. Roosevelt’s anti-corruption efforts helped him win re-election in 1882 by a margin greater than two-to-one, an achievement made even more impressive by the victory that Democratic gubernatorial candidate Grover Cleveland won in Roosevelt’s district.

1884 Presidential Elections

Roosevelt backed Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont, a nondescript reformer, out of the many potential presidential candidates. The current president, Chester Arthur of New York City, who is best known for enacting the Pendleton Civil Service Reform Act, was supported by the state GOP. At the state convention in Utica, Roosevelt lobbied for and was successful in swaying the Manhattan delegates.

He subsequently grabbed control of the state convention, haggling all night and outwitting the Arthur and James G. Blaine supporters; as a result, he became known across the country as an important leader in his state.

He ultimately came to the conclusion that he had to back Blaine in order to save his position in the GOP, and he did so in a press statement on July 19. Since many reformers had abandoned him, Roosevelt made the decision to leave politics and relocate to North Dakota.

Cattle Ranching

In 1883, Roosevelt made his first trip to Dakota to go bison hunting. With the cattle industry expanding in the area and Roosevelt feeling exhilarated by the Western way of life, he invested $14,000 with the aim of becoming a successful cattle rancher. He traveled back and forth between his ranch in Dakota and his residence in New York over the following several years.

“The Little Missouri Stockmen’s Association” was established as a consequence of Roosevelt’s successful attempts to bring ranchers together to solve issues with overgrazing and other common concerns. He was driven to further conservation, and he was successful in founding the Boone and Crockett Club, whose main objective was the preservation of big game animals and their natural habitats.

Civil Service Commission

President Harrison appointed Roosevelt to the United States Civil Service Commission at the urging of Henry Cabot Lodge, where he served until 1895. Roosevelt was then described as “irrepressible, belligerent, and enthusiastic” by The Sun.

Police Commissioner of New York City

After winning the 1894 mayoral race, Republican reformer William Lafayette Strong offered Roosevelt a seat on the board of the New York City Police Commissioner. Roosevelt was elected board president and completely overhauled the police department.

Roosevelt instituted yearly medical exams and frequent firearm inspections, hired recruits based on their abilities rather than their political affiliation, created the Meritorious Service Medal, and shut down corrupt police brothels.

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War of Cuba

The War of Cuba, in which Theodore Roosevelt played a crucial role, left an indelible effect on both his administration and American history. When Roosevelt became president following the sinking of the USS Maine in Havana Harbor, he ardently supported military action against Spanish colonial control in Cuba. At the time, he was the assistant secretary of the navy.

The 1898 Spanish-American War was the result of his passionate pleas for action. Roosevelt even resigned from his position to command the Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry troop, in the war’s most well-known combat, the assault on San Juan Hill. Roosevelt’s aggressive posture and dynamic leadership were crucial to the quick mobilization of the American military.

His brave tenacity on the battlefield and unwavering spirit pushed Roosevelt to national prominence, winning him the respect of his peers and setting the groundwork for his future ascent to the nation’s highest office. His involvement in the War of Cuba not only demonstrated his unbridled fervor for American principles but also helped pave the way for a revolutionary period in American history.

New York’s Governorship

Lemuel E. Quigg, a Republican congressman, approached Roosevelt shortly after he arrived back in the country and invited him to run for governor in the 1898 election. Roosevelt’s steady ascent to power, which benefited politically from the Platt machine, was characterized by the pragmatism of New York machine head T. C. “Tom” Platt, a US senator.

The GOP’s progressive wing, led by Roosevelt and Benjamin B. Odell Jr., grew in political power over time as a result of Platt’s demonstrated willingness to negotiate with them, to the detriment of the “easy boss,” whose apparatus was threatened by Odell in 1903.

As governor, Roosevelt gained vital knowledge of current political and economic concerns that subsequently helped him in his administration. Roosevelt was generally regarded as a prospective presidential contender since he was the governor of the nation’s most populous state, and backers like William Allen White urged him to seek office.

Vice President

He served as the 25th vice president under President William McKinley from March to September 1901.

President

Following the killing of President William McKinley on September 14, 1901, Theodore Roosevelt assumed the office of president of the United States. His administration lasted until March 4, 1909, although it began on that date.

Key Issues and Important Events during Roosevelt’s Presidency

During Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency (1901–1909), major changes in American politics and society occurred. He promoted measures that violated trust, regulated some businesses, and promoted environmental protection. His diplomatic skills made it possible to resolve many issues. Roosevelt is notable for mediating the Russo-Japanese War and winning the Nobel Peace Prize for it. His legacy embraces modernist principles.

Coal Strike

Anthracite coal miners went on strike in May 1902, posing a threat to the energy supply. Roosevelt was able to end the strike by convincing the coal operators to submit their disputes to arbitration by a commission after threatening them with military involvement.

The agreement with J. P. Morgan led to the miners working fewer hours for a higher wage but without union recognition. Roosevelt was the first president to assist in resolving a labor conflict.

Railroads

Some railroad charges, according to business owners, were too expensive. Roosevelt wanted to provide the Interstate Commerce Commission with the authority to control rates under the 1906 Hepburn Act, but the Senate, under the leadership of conservative Nelson Aldrich, resisted.

To get the legislation passed, Roosevelt collaborated with Democratic Senator Benjamin Tillman. Roosevelt and Aldrich finally came to an agreement that provided the ICC with the authority to replace the rates with “just-and-reasonable” maximum rates while still allowing railroads to challenge what was “reasonable” in federal court.

Foreign Policy

Theodore Roosevelt’s foreign policy, often known as “Big Stick Diplomacy,” was distinguished by a blend of aggressiveness, diplomatic dexterity, and a readiness to utilize military force when required to safeguard American interests.

In order to preserve stability and exert US influence in world affairs, he believed in projecting American might on the worldwide scene. One of his core beliefs was the proverb “speaking softly and carrying a big stick,” which stressed the value of combining diplomacy with the realistic threat of using force.

Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for his work in negotiating the Russo-Japanese War, which ended in 1905. Through the Roosevelt Corollary, which enlarged the Monroe Doctrine and justified US action in situations of perceived “chronic wrongdoing” by Latin American governments, he also affirmed American power in the region.

Most notably, this strategy was used when the Panama Canal was being built, which completely changed how goods were transported throughout the world. Roosevelt’s approach to foreign policy created a lasting impact that shaped America’s position as a key actor on the international scene for many years to come.

Second Term

Roosevelt shifted to the left of the Republican Party base as his second term went on and advocated for a number of reforms, most of which Congress failed to enact. His fellow Archibald Butt, who subsequently died in the RMS Titanic disaster, helped him during his final year in office.

Roosevelt’s power diminished as his second term came to a conclusion because his pledge to forgo a third term rendered him a lame duck, and his consolidation of power sparked opposition from many Congressmen. He also requested legislation governing campaign reform and a postal savings system (to give local banks competition).

World War I and the League of Nations

Theodore Roosevelt was instrumental in determining how the country would react to the turbulent years of World War I and the subsequent creation of the League of Nations. Roosevelt had vacated the White House at the start of the war, but his impact persisted.

He pushed for American readiness and said that the nation had an obligation to participate in the international battle in the interest of justice and democracy. He promoted a forceful, interventionist attitude.

Roosevelt was a passionate supporter of international cooperation who died in 1919, and his absence from the post-war discussions had a profound influence on the course that the United States took.

The League of Nations was Roosevelt’s distant cousin Woodrow Wilson’s idea to use diplomacy and collective security to avert future conflicts. Roosevelt had initially expressed opposition to the League, but had he lived to see its creation, his assertive diplomatic style and commitment to international cooperation might have influenced American involvement with the League and even changed the course of 20th-century history.

Progressivism

The Progressive Era, a time of profound social and political upheaval in the United States, is often associated with Theodore Roosevelt’s government.

During the Progressives’ 1912 presidential campaign, which had the famed former president Theodore Roosevelt as its standard bearer, there was fierce controversy about whether the reform movement should fight constitutionally imposed racial segregation in the South. Despite the fact that progressives failed in many ways, they left behind a remarkable and substantial body of changes that serve as their legacy.

As a fervent supporter of progressivism, Roosevelt promoted a variety of policies meant to rein in industrialization’s excesses and advance social fairness. He supported the idea that the government should act as a guardian of the general welfare, interfering in the market to control monopolies and defend consumers through programs like the Square Deal.

Roosevelt made important contributions to conservation as well, creating national parks and animal reserves that will endure for a long time to come. He gained a reputation as a trust-buster for his attempts to discredit monopolistic firms, and he also fought to create regulatory organizations like the Food and Drug Administration.

Roosevelt’s progressive agenda, which left a lasting impression on American politics and policy for years to come, expressed his vision of a more just and socially responsible society. His accomplishments as a progressive reformer serve as a living example of the ability of creative leadership to advance the interests of the country.

Read Also: 5 Key Pillars of American Diplomacy In Action

Things You May Not Know About Theodore Roosevelt

Here are some facts about Theodore Roosevelt’s life:

1) Teddy’s Mother and First Wife Passed on the Same Day

Typhoid fever claimed the life of Roosevelt’s mother on Valentine’s Day in 1884. His first wife, Alice, passed away from Bright’s illness and complications after giving birth to their first child just two days earlier on the floor above in the same home, less than 12 hours later.

2) Roosevelt’s Potomac River Incident

The renowned outdoorsman frequently left the boundaries of the White House while in office. Roosevelt often led hikes at Rock Creek Park, where he would mount rocks and practice shooting his pistol at branches and stumps. He also cruised his presidential yacht on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. The president occasionally removed all of his clothing after arduous walks down the Potomac to cool himself in the river.

3) Nobel Peace Prize

Roosevelt was awarded the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize for his part in negotiating the Treaty of Portsmouth, which ended the Russo-Japanese War. He was the first American to win the prize.

4) First Sitting President to Leave Country

Roosevelt created presidential history in November 1906 when he became the first president to leave the country. To personally check on the progress of the Panama Canal, a project he had supported as president, he sailed to Louisiana.

5) A Boxing Accident Left His One Eye Virtually Blind

Roosevelt fought for the lightweight intramural title at Harvard University and kept up his leisure sparring throughout his political career. He often sparred with former professional boxers and other opponents throughout his time in the White House, but a blow from a young artillery officer broke a blood vessel and left him practically blind in his left eye.

6) Roosevelt was a Prolific Author

Roosevelt was a voracious reader and writer from a young age. At the age of 23, he published his first book “The Naval War of 1812”, and quickly established himself as a knowledgeable historian. Roosevelt wrote 38 books throughout his lifetime.

Death

On January 6, 1919, Theodore Roosevelt passed away, bringing an era in American politics to an end. At the age of 60, Roosevelt, who was renowned for his limitless vigor and forward-thinking vision, passed away from a heart attack.

His passing caused the country to weep at the loss of a charismatic leader who had transformed the presidency and made a lasting impression on American history. Through his support for environmental protection, breaching of trust, and tenacious pursuit of social justice

Roosevelt left behind a lasting legacy. His absence created a gap in American politics, but generations have been inspired by his efforts and beliefs, cementing his status as one of the country’s most powerful figures.

Conclusion

In American history, Theodore Roosevelt is recognized as a towering personality and a leader with unrivaled vitality and vision. His progressive reforms, environmental protection initiatives, and unwavering foreign policy stance continue to have an impact today.

His commitment to environmental preservation helped to protect America’s beautiful landscapes for future generations. Roosevelt, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, epitomized the maxim “speak softly and carry a big stick,” forever changing the way the country approaches diplomacy. His influence persists as a politician, reformer, and patriot, serving as a model for moral leadership.

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