Theodore Roosevelt

(http://www.theodoreroosevelt.org/graph%20harv%20col/HC2x1.jpg)

The United States is known as

the land of freedom, leaders, equality

and liberty, but how do you think all

these positive words come together

when describing our country?

The answer is not by a man, but of

a hero named Theodore Roosevelt.

This fine gentleman was born in

New York City, in the 1800s.

He presumed the tasks of a governor

(became the governor of New

York State in 1898), a member of the

Civil Service Commission, of which

he was appointed by President Harrison

after his election in 1889. (Lorant).

He was also a war hero, who led an

astonishing number of successful

battles including the battle of San

Juan and the Cuban War with his

army which included the Rough Riders

of the West, and a naturalist who

started the first national parks and

natural forests (some of these

include Wichita Forest national

game grounds, Grand Canyon and

Yellowstone). (Lorant). A hero must possess responsibility, the ability to be open-minded, and the

ability to be a role model in such a way that the hero defines inspiration. This man demonstrates

such an adequate level of leadership that is superb to that of other heroes.

(http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/theodoreroosevelt)

  Theodore Roosevelt could be

credited for being open-minded,

a trait not commonly found in

people of his time. An open-minded

 person such as Roosevelt usually

displays interests in ideas that no one

 thinks about or even attempts to

introduce to others. Here's

why he is categorized into this group:

 "As president, Roosevelt held

the idea that the government

 should be the great arbiter of

the conflicting economic forces

in the Nation, especially

between capital andlabor, guaranteeing justice to each and dispensing favors to none."(Sidey) This

shows that Roosevelt is open-minded because he likes the idea of justice for all which is, after all,

the American Way. Such actions of justice and freedom were simply a dream in his day and age.

However, the fact that he pushed to see that these rights were ensured proves his quality of being

open-minded. There are many other examples of his open-mindedness which involved his

fondness of nature: "Some of Theodore Roosevelt's most effective achievements were in

conservation. He added enormously to the national forests in the West, reserved lands for public

use and forested great irrigation projects."  (Beschloss) Because of Teddy's out-of-the-box

thinking, he was able to spark up the idea of conservation of nature. This act of protecting the

environment was as indefinite as mars is to us today- meaning that no one would have thought

about in a way, or have thought about it since, the way Roosevelt did. Without Teddy's

freedomistic and conservative way of thinking, the United States of America would not be

anywhere near what it is today.

Another Aspect of Teddy's heroic nature was that of a responsible man. It took a lot of

responsibility to lead the multiple groups of 'war heroes' that Roosevelt organized. "He actively

prepared for the Cuban War, which he knew was coming, and when it broke out in 1898 went to

Cuba as a lieutenant colonel of a regiment of the Volunteer Calvary, which he himself had raised

among the hunters and the cowboys of the West" (Beale) Roosevelt's active participation in war,

along with his men, made for a heroic victory. This would not had been possible otherwise, for

he was responsible enough to gather the right men at the right time and lead them with

confidence and pride. Responsibility seemed to just be a part of Roosevelt's nature. Evidence of

this appeared in the inauguration of his presidency; everything he swore to get accomplished did,

in fact, get accomplished."Roosevelt ensured the construction of the Panama canal. His corollary

to the Monroe Doctrine prevented the establishment of foreign bases in the Caribbean, and

arrogated the sole invention of Latin America to the United States." (Sidey)  Roosevelt's vow

'Ensured the construction of the Panama Canal', but this would have never started without his

persistence. Only a responsible man such as Roosevelt would have kept his word and

remembered what he said about his part in the construction of the canal. This trait is curtail to

presidents but it is uncommon for it to come naturally as it did to Roosevelt.

(http://www.biography.com/people/theodore-roosevelt-9463424)

Perhaps Roosevelt's best known trait

is being a role-model; for he probably

accomplished/achieved more than any

other president. This impressive status

 proves that he was/is still a role model today.

 "In 1905, Teddy offered his good offices as

mediator between Russia and Japan, asking the

 belligerents to nominate plenipotentiaries to

negotiate on the conditions of peace." (Beers)

Roosevelt differs from other presidents and

people overall because he tries to bring

 peace to others as well (including himself)

rather than bull-heading his way into others.

This makes him a role-model because future

generations should follow this approach for a

sustainable future. Along with bringing peace,

Roosevelt inspires us as a role-model by other means as well. "Roosevelt was a historian, a

biographer, a statesman, a hunter, a naturalist, an author. His prodigious literary output includes

twenty-six books, over a thousand magazine articles, and thousands of speeches and letters."

(Dennett)  Not only did he become the twenty-sixth president, but all the while he was all these other

great things without breaking a sweat. This makes him a role-model because it sets an example of

how a president should work (referring to the high numbers of speeches and letters), and how a man

should work.

Roosevelt plays as a positive influence when it comes to how he affects people today. All

in all, Theodore Roosevelt possesses the three essential traits for being a fantastic hero. These

three traits are: being open and creating/accepting new ideas (or being open-minded), being a

role-model, and responsibility. Some may consider him to be the greatest man who ever lived.

                                                            Works Consulted

Beale, Howard. "Biography." Theodore Roosevelt -. Web. 14 May 2012.

Beschloss, Michael. "Theodore Roosevelt." The White House. 2009. Web. 14 May 2012.

            .

Jeffries, Rogina. "About Theodore Roosevelt: President and More, from The Theodore Roosevelt

               Association." About Theodore Roosevelt: President and More, from The Theodore Roosevelt

              Association. Act of Congress in 1920. Web. 20 May 2012. .

"Miller Center." American President: Theodore Roosevelt. The Miller Center of Public Affairs. Web. 14

              May 2012. .

"Picture Biography of Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt Association." Picture Biography of

                Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt Association. Theodore Roosevelt Collection,

               Oct.-   Nov. 2005. Web. 14 May 2012. .