President Theodore Roosevelt
The 26th President of the United States
Biography
Theodore Roosevelt was born in New York City. Teddy received the Noble Peace Prize for helping end the Russo-Japanese war. Roosevelt died at the age of 60. At his Long Island Estate, he passed in his sleep on January 6, 1919. On January 16, 2001 Theodore was the first president to be awarded the Medal of Honor.
Political Life of Theodore Roosevelt
After leaving law school, Roosevelt decided to join the New York State Assembly. After becoming a cowboy for 2 years, he decided to go back into politics. After serving numerous jobs for the state, he became the Assistant U.S. Navy secretary for President McKinley. Theodore Roosevelt took the job as Vice President for William McKinley. President McKinley was assassinated in 1901. At the age of 42, Teddy Roosevelt became the youngest President of the United States.
Accomplishments as President
- Established federal protection for almost 230 million acres of land, 150 national forests, 51 federal bird reserves, 5 national reserves, and 18 national monuments.
- National Reclamation Act of 1902.
- "Square deal" domestic policy.
- Federal Meat Inspection Act of 1906
- Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906
Imperialism
Fewer men were as imperialistic minded as Theodore Roosevelt. During Roosevelt's presidency, he sought colonies and ports to exert the influence of America all over the world. Problems began with the end of the Spanish-American war. These problems mostly came from what to do with the colonies that were liberated from the Spanish. The senate decided to annex the Philippines. This caused Filipino guerillas to start a bloody insurrection against the Americans. This lasted a few years. The Philippines issue was never really solved until they were granted their independence in 1946. Without the Philippines, the U.S. began to seek Asian markets to sell their goods.
Big Stick Diplomacy
One of Teddy Roosevelt's famous quotes is "Speak softly and carry a big stick." Big Stick Diplomacy is TR's foreign policy. His theory is to strive for peaceful negotiations with other nations, but also making sure they are aware of the United States powerful military. Roosevelt used this when Britain and Germany began threatening Venezuela because of "acts of violence against the liberty of British subject's." A failure to pay long-standing debts owed to Germany also caused a blockade on Venezuela. Roosevelt condemned the blockade and announced the corollary to the Monroe Doctrine in 1905.
Portsmouth Treaty
The Treaty of Portsmouth ended the Russo-Japanese war in September of 1905. The extremely high casualty rate and economical cost of financing the war caused both countries to seek an end o it. The Japanese asked President Roosevelt to negotiate a peace agreement. Trying to maintain a balance of power and equal economic opportunity, Roosevelt preferred that Russia and Japan both have a role to play in Northeast China. In the end, Japan gained control of Korea and most of South Manchuria.
Good Ole Teddy
Theodore Roosevelt is an idol for many. People today still look up to the way he lived and what he did. Not only as a President, but as a person in general. He was given many nicknames that fit him well like The Bull Moose, The Rough Rider, and The Trust Buster.