Theodore Roosevelt was the
first president to own a car, fly a plane, & submerge a submarine. During
Roosevelt's presidency, he; awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, became a presidential
conservationist, improved the US Navy's strength. Theodore Roosevelt was born
on October 27, 1858 in New York City, New York. Roosevelt was a post-graduate
Harvard student. After graduating, Roosevelt entered politics. Roosevelt
married Alice Hathaway Lee. Roosevelt lost of his wife and mother in 1882. For
the next two years, Roosevelt lived in the Dakota Territory. During a trip,
Roosevelt married his second wife, Edith Kermit Carow in London, 1886.
Roosevelt became the Vice President for President William McKinley in 1900.
After President McKinley was killed, Roosevelt took office from 1901-1909.
Theodore Roosevelt's grave can be found in the Young's Memorial Cemetery in New
York. Theodore Roosevelt had achieved many accomplishments during his life.
Roosevelt accomplished many difficult tasks using his leadership,
determination, & his sense of community to make America better for the
future.
Roosevelt's leadership
helped insure the safety of America's future. As police commissioner of New
York, Theodore Roosevelt dedicated his time to reform the corrupted police
force. "As he prowled the nightly streets, Commissioner Roosevelt became a
familiar & feared sight" (Theodore Roosevelt, Biography in Context).
Roosevelt was appointed as New York Police Commissioner of the Police Force by
Mayor William Strong. As Commissioner, he was assigned to remove the corruption
in the police force. Theodore Roosevelt served as commissioner for two years,
& reformed the police force. During his presidency, Roosevelt demonstrated
how important it is to help the people before yourself. "Roosevelt
suggested a variety of reforms & new policies... including income tax, national
inheritance tax, federal eight-hour work workdays, workers' compensation, child
labor statues, etc,." (Theodore Roosevelt, Biography in Context). In 1902,
Roosevelt intervened during a strike, to protect consumers from freezing in
cold homes, schools, and hospitals. Roosevelt intervention in the anthracite
coal strike exemplified that labor-management affairs were of public
interests. Roosevelt's leadership helped reform the New York police force &
the American lifestyle for the better.
Through determination,
Theodore Roosevelt was able to assist the American government into a strong
position. Theodore Roosevelt was known for his lawsuits against major
corporations, which he believed were destabilizing the economy. "Roosevelt
delivered scathing attacks on major business for corrupting the economy"
(Theodore Roosevelt, Biography.com). Roosevelt earned the nickname, the
"trustbuster" for "busting" corporations for monopolizing
industries, which he felt was messing up the economy. Roosevelt regulated actions
of the businesses by filing lawsuits against them testifying that they were
disrupting the stability of the economy. Roosevelt foreign policy was,
"speak softly & carry a big stick; you will go far."
"President Roosevelt offered his good offices as mediator between Russia
and Japan, ...to negotiate on the conditions of peace" (Theodore
Roosevelt, Nobelprize.org). Theodore Roosevelt believed that involving the US
in international affairs would strengthen it. Roosevelt's foreign policies
strengthened relationships with Japan & Great Britain and kept European
powers from Latin America. Theodore Roosevelt's determination helped shape the
society and government of today.
Theodore Roosevelt's sense
of community ensured that America preserved its environment. Theodore Roosevelt
had the government replace resource businesses, and take control of natural
resources, saving 200 million acres of nature as national parks. "His
administration championed conservation through policies of "rational use"
designed to ensure national resources would be available for future
generations' uses" (Theodore Roosevelt, Biography in Context). Through the
National Monuments Act of 1906, Roosevelt was able to save places such as the
Grand Canyon and countless other natural monuments. Roosevelt's administration
also took control of waterways, waterpower sites, oil, coal deposits, etc., and
placed them in public domain. To support the Interstate Commerce Commission,
Roosevelt supported several acts to give the government the power to regulate
railroads, food, and drugs. "The passage of the Hepburn Act gave the
government power to regulate interstate railroad...the Pure Food and Drug Act
& the Meat Inspection Act, both forerunners of today's consumers protection
legislation" (Theodore Roosevelt, Biography.com). Congress passed the
Hepburn Act, which allowed the ICC (Interstate Commerce Commission) to regulate
the American railroads. Congressed also passed the Pure Food and Drug Act &
the Meat Inspection Act, which allowed the government to regulate the safety of
consuming food products in America. Roosevelt used his executive powers &
his sense of community to preserve national resources & make consumables
clean.
With his leadership, determination, and sense of community,
Theodore Roosevelt helped better the America of the time. Roosevelt displayed
his leadership by suggesting a variety of reforms and new policies as the
United States President. Roosevelt displayed his determination through lawsuits
against businesses destabilizing the economy. Roosevelt lastly displayed his
sense of community through supporting acts to allow the government to regulate
railroads, clean food, and clean drinking water. As Theodore Roosevelt had once
explained, "It is hard to fail, but it is worse never to have tried to
succeed." Through assisting American businesses, conservation of natural
resources, and successful foreign relations, Theodore Roosevelt inspires many
by telling them if you try to succeed, you will go far, but if you never try,
it's impossible to succeed. No matter what was in his way, Theodore Roosevelt
would always find ways to succeed. Theodore Roosevelt maybe remembered by some
as only the 26th President of the United States, but to some he will be
remembered as the man who helped shaped the modern society we live in today
with leadership, determination, and his sense of community.
Works Consulted
Kelly, Martin. "Theodore Roosevelt -
Twenty-Sixth President of the United States." About.com American
History. N.p., 2013. Web. 25 Mar. 2013.
< http://americanhistory.about.com/od/troosevelt/p/ptroosevelt.htm>
"Theodore Roosevelt Biography." Bio.com.
A&E Networks Television, 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
"Theodore Roosevelt - Biography".
Nobelprize.org. 22 Mar. 2013
"Theodore Roosevelt." Contemporary Heroes and
Heroines. Vol. 3. Gale, 1998.
Biography In Context. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
"Theodore Roosevelt." The
White House. N.p., 2013. Web. 22 Mar. 2013.
< http://www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/theodoreroosevelt>
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