Progressive Presidents Smore Flyer
by Dakota Nellesen
Theodore Roosevelt
Though he enrolled in law school in Columbia, it didn't last long. He later joined the New York State Assembly as a representative from New York City. This gave him the title of being the youngest to serve in that position. Roosevelt's political life was flourishing as he sped through public service positions. As things were looking bright, both his mother and spouse died on the same day. February 14, 1884. These tragic deaths led Roosevelt to travel out to the Dakota Territory for two years. He settled down to be a cowboy, this left his daughter in the care of Teedie's elder sister. Roosevelt returned to his political career in 1886, where he ran for mayor in New York City. Though, he did not win the election, he did marry Edith Kermit Carow. Roosevelt and Carow had known each other since childhood.
A lot later into Teedie's adulthood, he was titled president of the United States of America in 1901 after President McKinley's assassination. Theodore being 42, he was the youngest man to assume U.S. presidency. Roosevelt's childhood illnesses eventually caught up to him, and he tragically died in his sleep on January 6, 1919, at Sagamore Hill. Roosevelt only lived to be 60 years of age. His burial took place at the Youngs Memorial Cemetery in New York.
Before/After Presidency
During Presidency
Political Cartoon
Leadership
Roosevelt had great leadership due to the force of his personality and through aggressive executive movement. His childhood had led him to become a very independent and leader-like.
Organization
Due to his beliefs, he saw everything mostly differently from the government. This led to Teedie organizing and planning differently, and then acting differently to the situation.
Professionalism
Although we was different from most presidents, Roosevelt made almost the best decisions during his term. His leadership skills allowed him to get things done more efficiently and effectively.
Contributions
Teedie was widely regarded as the first modern president of the United States. The influence our office has today began with Roosevelt. He used his enthusiasm to win votes, to shape issues, and to mold opinions. By doing this, he forever changed the executive office.
William Howard Taft
Before/After Presidency
During Presidency
Political Cartoon
Leadership
C
He had little talent for leadership. He often pondered for at great length all sides of a question. He was mostly a quiet and inactive president. Taft would also eat great meals for the morning, leaving him sluggish and helping in leaving him inactive. His political skills were most certainly not the best, so he would just sit by quietly to avoid failure.
Organization
C+
Taft's organization was not the greatest of presidents. Then again, he was very quiet. His poor leadership skills led him to just sit by and do nothing, so he wasn't exactly unorganized. He was just inactive.
Professionalism
Although he was a kind-hearted man who wanted to be loved as a person, his political experience and skills were limited. He was also very naturally critical of his own abilities. Ultimately, he was not very experienced, leaving him to just sit by and to be a very indecisive president.
Contributions
C-
Most historians would agree that Taft was a "disaster." His political and leadership skills may not have been the best, but he did have a few accomplishments during his term due to his hesitancy.
Woodrow Wilson
Before/After Presidency
During Presidency
Political Cartoon
Leadership
The program of federal oversight of the nation's economy was made the most cohesive, elaborate, and complete during that time thanks to Woodrow's leadership. Tariff reduction and banking reform under the auspices of the Federal Reserve System were both a part of this. Together, these and many more programs helped the U.S. check up the with other industrial states around the world.
Organization
Wilson carefully mapped out his plans to make sure that his goal would be reached in the end. He would also calculate if he plans would lead to any cons rather than pros, then he would try the best possible outcome.
Professionalism
Woodrow Wilson was a person who got their work done, and done right. He ranked alongside our greatest presidents: Lincoln, Washington, etc. He also went to war to try and stop the spread of communism.
Contributions
Wilson left many things for historians to remember. He transformed the basic goal of American foreign policy from isolation to internationalism. He successfully made the Democratic Party the "party of reform." And finally, he was able to mobilize and shape public opinion fashion the modern presidency.