Theodore Roosevelt

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was the 26th president of the United States, serving from 1901 to 1909. He became president after the assassination of William McKinley, the president he served as vice president under. At 42 years old, Roosevelt was the youngest person to ever hold the office.

As a child, Roosevelt faced health challenges with asthma, but he overcame them through regular exercise, which he called "the strenuous life". He was homeschooled and later attended Harvard University. Before becoming president, he served in various roles, including as the assistant secretary of the Navy and leading a group of soldiers called the Rough Riders during a war against Spain in Cuba.

As president, Roosevelt focused on fair treatment for all citizens, breaking up large businesses called trusts, and protecting natural areas by creating national parks, forests, and monuments. He also worked on building the Panama Canal and helped end a war between Russia and Japan, for which he won the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize. Roosevelt believed strongly in conservation and expanding the power of the United States around the world.

He was elected to a full term in 1904 and supported William Howard Taft to be his successor. However, when Roosevelt failed to win his party’s nomination in 1912, he created a new party called the Bull Moose Party and ran for president again. Though he didn’t win, his efforts helped change the political landscape. Later in life, Roosevelt faced many health issues and passed away in 1919. Today, many consider him one of the greatest presidents in American history.

Early life and education

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was born on October 27, 1858, in Manhattan. His parents were Martha Stewart Bulloch and Theodore Roosevelt Sr.. He grew up with an older sister named Bamie, a younger brother Elliott, and a younger sister Corinne.

Roosevelt had health problems and asthma as a child, but he stayed active. He loved animals and started a small museum at a young age. His family traveled to places like Europe and Egypt, which helped him see the world. Roosevelt was taught at home and later went to Harvard University, where he studied science and did well, though he had trouble with some subjects like Latin. He enjoyed sports and made friends in various clubs. After his father passed away, he inherited money that allowed him to live comfortably. He later went to Columbia Law School but left to pursue a career in politics.

New York State Assemblyman (1881–1884)

Theodore Roosevelt was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1881, representing the 21st district in New York City. During his time there, he worked hard to stop unfair actions by rich people trying to avoid paying taxes. He spoke up about wrongdoings and helped bring attention to important issues.

Roosevelt was re-elected with strong support, even when many voters chose a different leader for the state. He became a leader in the assembly and helped pass laws to make government jobs fairer for everyone. He worked on many ideas and bills to help cities during his time in office.

Military service (1882–1886; 1898)

Theodore Roosevelt began his military journey in 1882 when he joined the New York Army National Guard while also serving in the New York State Assembly. He spent four years there and left as a Captain.

When the Spanish–American War started in 1898, Roosevelt stepped down from his job and, with Army Colonel Leonard Wood, formed a special group called the First U.S. Volunteer Cavalry Regiment, famously known as the "Rough Riders." Many different kinds of people joined this group. They trained in San Antonio, Texas before traveling to fight in Cuba.

The Rough Riders took part in important battles, including the Battle of Las Guasimas and the charges up Kettle Hill and San Juan Hill, which later became known as the Battle of San Juan Heights. Though the battles were tough, Roosevelt and his men played a key role in these victories. After the war, Roosevelt was often called “The Colonel” instead of his first name, though many people still liked to call him “Teddy.”

Cattle rancher in Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt first visited the Dakota Territory in 1883 to hunt bison. He loved the western lifestyle and decided to invest money to become a cattle rancher. He spent time between his home in New York and his ranch in Dakota.

After the 1884 United States presidential election, Roosevelt built Elkhorn Ranch near the town of Medora, North Dakota. He learned to ride horses, rope, and hunt. He wrote about life on the ranch for magazines and books. Roosevelt helped ranchers work together to solve problems like overgrazing. He also started a club to protect wildlife. In 1886, he even served as a deputy sheriff in Billings County, North Dakota. However, a very cold winter wiped out most of his cattle and his investment, so he stopped ranching and went back to New York.

Reentering public life

After returning to New York, Theodore Roosevelt was asked to run for mayor in the 1886 election. He agreed but came in third place. After this, he wrote a successful book about American history.

Roosevelt later served on an important government board that helped make sure jobs were given based on skill, not friendship. He worked hard to change how things were done and sometimes clashed with other leaders.

He also became a leader of the New York City police, making many improvements. He made sure officers were well-trained and worked to improve conditions for everyone in the city. Roosevelt often walked with police officers at night to ensure they were doing their jobs properly.

Assistant Secretary of the Navy (1897–1898)

In the 1896 presidential election, Roosevelt supported William McKinley for the Republican nomination after Thomas Brackett Reed lost it. McKinley won the election against William Jennings Bryan. Roosevelt became the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897, appointed by President McKinley. The Secretary of the Navy, John D. Long, was often unwell and let Roosevelt make many important decisions.

Roosevelt believed the U.S. Navy needed to be stronger, especially with more battleships. He also thought it was important to support Cuba when it was in trouble. On February 15, 1898, a ship called the USS Maine exploded in Havana, Cuba. Many people thought Spain was responsible, but President McKinley wanted to solve things without fighting. Roosevelt, however, prepared the navy for possible war. This help later contributed to a U.S. victory in the Battle of Manila Bay led by George Dewey. Eventually, McKinley asked Congress to declare war on Spain, starting the Spanish–American War.

Governor of New York (1899–1900)

After returning from his travels, Theodore Roosevelt was asked to run for governor of New York in 1898. He agreed and won the election by a very small margin. As governor, Roosevelt learned a lot about economic issues and political skills that helped him later when he became president. He focused on fair treatment for everyone, honest government, and taking care of natural resources.

Roosevelt held regular meetings with reporters to stay connected with people. He also pushed for new laws to make sure big companies paid their fair share. Even though some powerful people didn’t like his ideas, Roosevelt made many important appointments and helped pass laws to improve government services. During his time as governor, Roosevelt began forming the ideas that would guide his presidency, like making sure big companies acted responsibly and protecting the environment.

Vice presidency (1901)

Main article: 1900 United States presidential election

In 1899, the sitting Vice President Garret Hobart passed away, leaving the spot open for the 1900 election. Even though Roosevelt said he didn’t want the job, others pushed for him to become the next Vice President. Eventually, he agreed to accept the role if it was offered to him.

Roosevelt worked hard during the campaign, traveling to many places and speaking to crowds. He served as Vice President for six months, but found the job boring because it didn’t give him much to do. During this time, he became known for a famous saying: “Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far.”

Presidential elections

Presidential election of 1884

See also: 1884 United States presidential election

Theodore Roosevelt supported Senator George F. Edmunds of Vermont for president. The Republican Party preferred the current president, Chester Arthur, known for passing laws to improve government jobs. Roosevelt worked hard to influence delegates and gained a reputation as a skilled politician.

Presidential election of 1904

Main article: 1904 United States presidential election

As President Roosevelt's popularity grew, he faced little opposition for the 1904 nomination. He chose George B. Cortelyou to help lead the party. Roosevelt won the election with 56% of the votes, much more than his opponent Alton Brooks Parker. He promised to give every American a fair chance.

Presidential election of 1908

Main article: 1908 United States presidential election

Roosevelt decided not to run for a third term, honoring his promise. He supported his friend William Howard Taft, who became the next president. Though Taft had good ideas, he was not as skilled at winning people over as Roosevelt.

Presidential election of 1912

Main article: 1912 United States presidential election

Republican primaries and convention

In 1912, Roosevelt wanted to run again. He won many primary elections but lost the Republican Party nomination to William Howard Taft. Roosevelt felt the nomination was taken away from him unfairly.

Progressive Party

See also: New Nationalism (Theodore Roosevelt) and Bull Moose Party

Roosevelt then formed a new party called the Progressive Party. He chose Hiram Johnson as his running mate. Roosevelt’s new party wanted the government to help protect people from unfair businesses.

Attempted assassination

Main article: Attempted assassination of Theodore Roosevelt

While campaigning in Milwaukee, Roosevelt was shot by a man named John Schrank. The bullet did not seriously hurt him, and he continued his speech for 90 minutes before getting medical help. The bullet stayed in his body for the rest of his life.

Democratic victory

After the Democrats chose Governor Woodrow Wilson, Roosevelt knew he probably wouldn’t win. He still campaigned hard, but Wilson won the election with most of the votes. Roosevelt got more votes than any other third-party candidate in history.

Presidency (1901–1909)

Main article: Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt

In 1901, President McKinley was attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York, when he was shot by a man named Leon Czolgosz. Roosevelt, who was on vacation, traveled to Buffalo to visit McKinley in the hospital. When McKinley’s health got worse, Roosevelt returned to Buffalo and was sworn in as the 26th president after McKinley passed away.

Roosevelt faced challenges from conservative Republicans who were unsure about his leadership. He worked to establish himself as a strong leader and prepared for the 1904 election. His presidency was seen as a mix of traditional Republican values and a push for reforms to help ordinary people.

Domestic policies: The Square Deal

Further information: Square Deal

Main article: Political positions of Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt aimed to balance business interests with the needs of the public. He believed in a stronger role for the government in regulating businesses and protecting consumers. His “Square Deal” program focused on three main goals: protecting natural resources, controlling big businesses, and ensuring fair treatment for workers and consumers.

Trust busting and regulation

Roosevelt took strong action against big businesses that he believed were unfair or harmful. He used laws to challenge large companies and protect competition. He also worked to create new government departments to help regulate businesses and protect workers.

Coal strike

Main article: Coal strike of 1902

In 1902, coal miners went on strike, which threatened the nation’s energy supply. Roosevelt helped negotiate an end to the strike, ensuring that workers got better pay and shorter work hours, though the companies did not recognize the workers’ union.

Prosecuted misconduct

Roosevelt took action against corruption in government agencies. He prosecuted officials who had cheated Native American tribes out of their land and others involved in land fraud. He also addressed corruption in the postal service.

Railroads

Main article: Hepburn Act

Roosevelt worked to ensure that railroad companies charged fair prices. He helped pass a law that allowed a government agency to set reasonable rates for railroads, balancing the interests of both the companies and the public.

Pure food and drugs

Roosevelt responded to concerns about unsafe food and drugs by supporting laws to ensure that food and drugs were safe and properly labeled. These laws helped protect consumers from harmful products.

Conservation

Main article: Presidency of Theodore Roosevelt § Conservation

Roosevelt was proud of his efforts to protect America’s natural resources. He established national parks, forests, and wildlife reserves, setting aside large areas of land for public use and protection.

Foreign policy

Main article: Foreign policy of the Theodore Roosevelt administration

Roosevelt believed that the United States should be an active and strong force in the world. He worked to build up the U.S. Navy and supported the construction of the Panama Canal, which greatly improved the country’s ability to move ships between oceans.

Roosevelt also worked to maintain good relations with other countries, such as Japan and Britain. He helped mediate conflicts and promoted the idea that the United States had a role in keeping peace in the world.

Media

Roosevelt made the White House a regular source of news for reporters. He created the first official press briefing room, giving journalists regular access to information about the president and the government.

Second term

In his second term, Roosevelt pushed for several reforms, including laws to help workers and limit the power of big businesses. He also spoke out strongly against unfair business practices and called for more government oversight to protect the public.

Roosevelt and racial issues

Further information: Booker T. Washington dinner at the White House, Brownsville affair, and Political positions of Theodore Roosevelt § Race relations

Roosevelt supported some African American leaders and included African American soldiers in his military unit. However, he also made statements that supported the idea of white leadership and took actions that affected African American communities negatively.

Post-presidency (1909–1919)

The Great Rapprochement with Great Britain

The Great Rapprochement was the time when the United States and Great Britain worked together better in many areas like diplomacy, politics, the military, and the economy from 1895 to 1915. Roosevelt helped this happen by talking with British thinkers and leaders and working on issues like the Panama Canal. The British liked Roosevelt, as shown when they handled the Alaska boundary dispute. British diplomats agreed with Roosevelt’s team to not support Canada’s claim to a port that would let them reach gold mines in the Canadian Yukon. Canadians felt let down because Britain controlled Canada’s foreign policy to be nice to the United States.

From 1915 to 1917, Roosevelt was a big supporter of the United States joining the war on the side of Great Britain. In October 1916, while trying to help the Republican Party beat President Woodrow Wilson, Roosevelt criticized Wilson strongly.

Republican Party schism

Roosevelt tried to shape Taft to be like him, but was upset when Taft started acting independently. He felt ignored when Taft didn’t talk to him about important decisions. Roosevelt and others were unhappy with Taft’s policies on things like protecting nature and taxes. Roosevelt wanted progressives to take control of the Republican Party to avoid splitting it and giving the presidency to the Democrats in 1912. He seemed hopeful about Taft’s leadership after meeting him in June 1910.

Dispute over court power

Roosevelt gave speeches criticizing the country’s judiciary, especially the Supreme Court’s decision in Lochner v. New York. He talked about letting the public remove judges from office. This upset Taft and many others in the legal community.

Roosevelt's "New Nationalism"

In August 1910, Roosevelt gave a big speech in Osawatomie, Kansas, where he talked about his ideas for a “New Nationalism.” He said labor was more important than money and that big businesses needed more rules. He also talked about stopping businesses from giving money to political campaigns. Roosevelt then worked to take control of the Republican Party in New York but was angry when Taft didn’t support him. Roosevelt helped the Republicans in the 1910 elections, but the Democrats won control of the House for the first time since 1892. One of the new Democrats was Franklin D. Roosevelt, who said he supported his cousin’s ideas.

The Republican progressives thought the losses in the election showed they needed to reorganize the party in 1911. Senator Robert M. La Follette joined others to create the National Progressive Republican League to fight against political bosses and replace Taft. Roosevelt supported progressive ideas but didn’t want to run in 1912. He kept criticizing Taft, especially after a lawsuit against US Steel in September 1911. Roosevelt still didn’t want to run against Taft in 1912 but hoped to run in 1916.

Battling Taft over arbitration treaties

Taft worked on treaties with Britain and France to solve problems through arbitration. But many Republicans didn’t like Taft, and the Senate added changes Taft couldn’t accept, so the treaties failed.

Africa and Europe (1909–1910)

In March 1909, Roosevelt left for an expedition in Africa. His group traveled to the Belgian Congo and followed the Nile River to Khartoum in Sudan. They collected many animals for museums. After the trip, Roosevelt visited Europe, meeting leaders like Emperor Franz Joseph of Austria-Hungary and King George V of Great Britain. He also gave a speech in Oslo about peace and delivered the Romanes Lecture at Oxford. Roosevelt returned to the U.S. in June 1910. Later that year, he became the first U.S. president to fly in a plane.

South American expedition (1913–1914)

In 1913, Roosevelt joined an expedition to South America, co-named after Brazilian Cândido Rondon. They aimed to find and follow the headwaters of a river later renamed the Roosevelt River to the Amazon River. Roosevelt got very sick during the trip but kept going with help from his son and the team’s doctor.

Writer

Roosevelt wrote many books on topics like foreign policy and national parks. He also wrote about the importance of preserving nature and criticized writers who made up stories about animals.

Final years

Roosevelt returned to the U.S. in May 1914. He was upset about how the U.S. got the Panama Canal Zone but liked some new reforms. He supported candidates for the Progressives but their party didn’t do well in the 1914 elections. Roosevelt wanted to run for president again in 1920 but his health got worse. He kept speaking out on political issues but was often sick.

World War I

When World War I started in 1914, Roosevelt supported the Allies and criticized President Wilson’s foreign policy. In 1916, he campaigned for Charles Evans Hughes but Wilson won the election. Roosevelt’s youngest son, Quentin, was killed in the war in 1918.

League of Nations

Roosevelt supported the idea of a global group to keep peace. He talked about a “League of Peace” in 1910 and later proposed a “World League for the Peace of Righteousness.” He wanted the United States to be part of it. But President Wilson created a different League of Nations, and the U.S. didn’t join it.

Final political activities

Roosevelt spoke out against Wilson’s ideas and supported the Republicans winning Congress in 1918. He talked about ideas like pensions for older people and help for farmers but his health kept getting worse.

Death

Theodore Roosevelt passed away in his sleep on the morning of January 6, 1919, at the age of 60, at his home called Sagamore Hill. He had been feeling unwell the night before but seemed better after receiving care. His last words were a quiet request to his family servant to turn out a light.

After his passing, a small funeral service was held at Christ Episcopal Church in Oyster Bay, and he was buried in a cemetery overlooking the area. Many important people attended the service to honor him.

Legacy

Historians remember Theodore Roosevelt for changing how the president worked. He used his position to talk about important issues and values. He is known for taking action against unfair business practices and for protecting natural lands. Many people admire him for thinking about the future and for caring about the environment.

Roosevelt is liked by many for his strong beliefs in doing what is right and for supporting the country. Some people think he was too involved in other countries' affairs. Most historians consider him one of the best presidents ever.

Roosevelt is remembered for his lively personality and strong beliefs. He believed in staying active and strong, and he supported sports and groups like the Boy Scouts to help young people grow. He is famous for his saying, "Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick," and for the teddy bear, which was named after him. Many places and things are named after him, including ships, stamps, and a national park. He has been shown in movies and games too.

Personal life

In 1880, Theodore Roosevelt married a woman named Alice Hathaway Lee, and they had a daughter named Alice Lee Roosevelt. Sadly, Alice Lee passed away just two days after their daughter was born, and at the same time, Roosevelt’s mother also passed away. This was very hard for him, and he left to grieve alone for a time. Later, he married Edith Kermit Carow, and they had five children together.

Roosevelt loved being active and tried many different sports, like boxing and hiking. He also believed in staying strong and healthy. Even though he faced many challenges, he remained dedicated to his work and his family.