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 * Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt**
 * Republican**
 * Served from 1901-1909**
 * VP Charles Fairbanks**

Theodore Roosevelt, also known as the "Trust Buster" was the twenty sixth president of the U.S and was famously known for his progressive policies and exercise of great executive authority. He was at the time the youngest president to ever be elected to office. Roosevelt began his term after president McKinley was assassinated in September of 1901. Shortly after he was elected he exercised his executive authority to ensure social justice, preserve land, and regulate big businesses. This active role in these key areas during his term, along with being heavily involved in foreign affairs leads to Roosevelt receiving an A for his presidency. This grade is appropriate because his actions would help this nation for years to come and helped pave the way for this nations success.

The goals of Theodore Roosevelt were clearly displayed throughout many of his actions and in his Inaugural Address in 1905. As stated earlier, many of his goals were to preserve areas of land, regulate big businesses, construct the Panama Canal, and annex Hawaii. He also wanted to hinder European growth in Latin America, because they would then oppress and take advantage of the residents located in those areas. Roosevelt was a man who loved the outdoors and it was reflected in his policy. Throughout 1901-1909 he signed legislation that created 5 national parks. He also created four national monuments ( many being natural) by the end of 1906. Along with land conservation Roosevelt attempted to regulate big businesses. That is how he earned the nickname " Trust Buster." Roosevelt clearly brought the Sherman Antitrust Act to the attention of many. This was clearly displayed when J.P Morgan and a few others with the Northern Securities Company were accused of creating a railroad monopoly. Big business wasn't the only place that Roosevelt tried to regulate. In Latin America Europeans tried to loan money to the leader in Venezuela. This also resulted in the leader/ dictator not repaying the loans and Europeans blocking the Venezuelan coastline. Roosevelt attempted to stop this with his corollary, which stated that the issue must be resolved through arbitration. Another action in that area which Roosevelt was involved in was the Panama Canal Construction. This would create a passage between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This cost America $400 million dollars to build and 30,000 workers over 10 years. Roosevelt through his actions was very progressive and it was shown throughout his goals and policies. He was a man of action.

Throughout Roosevelt's terms, he had a great relationship with Congress. In the Senate he had a republican party for all of his years in office. During his term there were many policies created. During his term he pushed for many "Square deal" progressive policies, which were passed through Congress. The Square Deal consisted of ensuring consumer protection, controlling/regulating businesses, and preserving land/ natural resources. This was the heart and soul of many of his policies which he pushed for. He created the Food and Drug Act and Meat Inspection Act, which both protected consumers. He also pushed for the Hepburn Act, which allowed the ICC to control railroad rates to an extent. This was used to regulate business and prevent unfair pricing and practices. Roosevelt also signed the Antiquities Act and Newlands Reclamation Act which both protected natural resources and wildlife.These policies created were all a step in the right direction and progressed America successfully through this time period.

The actions of Roosevelt's administration that had the most positive outcome on the nation were his natural resource and wildlife conservation policies. Roosevelt saw the need at that time to set aside natural resources due to the steady growth of the nation. Overall, his policies which were passed created 5 national parks which still exist, 150 national forests, 15 bird reserves and a few national monuments. This during the time was very uncommon and Roosevelt was often thought of as peculiar because of his love for the outdoors and nature. This was clear when Roosevelt toured the Yosemite valley with John Muir. They toured the valley for days and camped out there enjoying the beauty of nature, although they had opposing views on land conservation.The most negative outcome of Roosevelt's administration was his lack of policy catered to the fair treatment of African Americans. Roosevelt thought that blacks were naturally inferior to whites, but also thought that some black individuals were superior to white ones. This attitude was shown t\when he invited Booker T. Washington to the White House for dinner one night. But, his racism once again kicked in when a group of black soldiers were accused of killing numerous white men and he made the decision to discharge them all without proper evidence and a trial. This was only part of the problem along with there being no policies created for minorities during this time. He often did more to help the Latinos more than the blacks.

Roosevelt did a lot that influenced many people and politicians today. he was probably the most famous president as far as being progressive. He also created many policies related to land conservation that paved the way for many environmental programs today, such as the EPA. The EPA's agenda revolves around preserving the environment so that it could be sustained for years to come. But along with paving the way for the EPA, he helped influence other government agencies and factions which are based around the environment and wildlife. He envisioned that the world's, especially America's resources are finite and growth can only be to a certain point. That is part of the reasoning behind dedicating millions of acres to be preserved. He envisioned that even when businesses and the country grows, some things must be maintained. This was shown with his statement "... we shall be able to leave this heritage unwasted and enlarged to our children and our children's children." along with our American heritage comes natural resources, which is the foundation of this country. Therefore, they must be sustained for the next generation to share the same America that this generation did.

Overall the grade for Roosevelt's presidency being an A is very reasonable. The country was in better shape after he left office and he made an even greater effect in the long run. His policies based on his "square deal" were ideal in having a very progressive and effective presidency. Many programs sprouted from his term and other landmarks such as the Panama Canal and Yosemite National Park can be attributed to his list of successes.


 * Works Cited**

"Art & History Home Origins & Development Party Division." //U.S. Senate//. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. .

Mackintosh, Barry. "National Park Service History: Theodore Roosevelt and the National Park System." //National Park Service Discover History: Cultural Resources Home Page//. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. .

Milkis, Sidney. "American President: Theodore Roosevelt." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. .

Rooselvelt, Theodore. "Theodore Roosevelt: Inaugural Address. U.S. Inaugural Addresses. 1989." Address. Inaugural Address. Washington D.C. 4 Mar. 1905. //Bartleby.com: Great Books Online -- Quotes, Poems, Novels, Classics and Hundreds More//. Web. 21 Apr. 2011. .