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 * ​ Theodore Roosevelt ​ **



// "In any moment of decision, the best thing you can do is the right thing. The worst thing you can do is nothing." -Theodore Roosevelt //


 * Full name:** Theodore Roosevelt, Jr.
 * Birth-Death Date:** October 27, 1858 - January 6, 1919
 * Political Party:** Republican
 * Date/Number of Terms:** 2 terms (1901-1905-served after McKinley's assination) (1905-1909)
 * Vice President:** None (1901-1905), Charles Warren Fairbanks (1905-1909)

Teddy Roosevelt is one of the greatest presidents in history and receives a grade of an A for his successful presidency. He was most defiantly a president that kept the people in perspective, and did his best for the country- both nationally and globally. His energetic zeal and passion as the country's leader was loved by the citizens of America, and not wasted. He achieved an extraordinary amount for the country and for the executive power with conservation, his progressive ideas, and foreign policy.
 * Rating of President:**

Roosevelt felt he had a responsibility as a president to take care of his people. In his actions, he supported the Progressive Reform. He felt that conservation of nature was necessary as well as making the United States a global influence, changing foreign policy, and dealing with trusts. Teddy Roosevelt was incredibly successful in completing his goals. TR had created the Square Deal, which was controlling the corporations, conservation, and consumer protection. When he attempted to control the corporations, he had gained the nickname "trust-buster". He did not think all trusts should be diminished, just the "bad trusts" that did not hold the employers/consumer's interests. Roosevelt had passed the Elkins Act and Hepburn Act in order to control the regulation of railroads. In that way, he had protected consumer rights as well. In addition, Roosevelt used aggressive force to assist the labor union strikes. In the Anthracite Coal Strike in 1902, he threatened to send federal troops to control the coal mines if no compromise was created. In the end, the coal mine corporations gave in. For the last area in the Square Deal, Roosevelt had done much to assist in the conservation of nature. He passed numerous laws to save over 200 million acres of land, and created 5 national parks. Roosevelt 's last goal, to make the country into a global power, had been also achieved. TR created the Roosevelt Corollary (that allowed the US to intervene with Latin America ) along with the Big Stick Policy (that stated the US would negotiate peacefully, but had a strong looming military force). Teddy Roosevelt had also created the Panama Canal, and helped the Panamanians renounce independence from Columbia. In this way, the United States had created alliances and made other nations to recognize the greatness of America and just how much global influence they contained.

Theodore Roosevelt was an aggressive person in nature, and he used that characteristic in his presidency. Roosevelt believed that a president should be leading the country and that anything not stated in the Constitution was allowed. Therefore, he used that to increase his executive power and control most of the actions he had conducted in his term, without having to check with Congress, such as the Roosevelt Corollary. However, the legislative branch was still supportive of his ideas and suggestions. For example, they supported TR's conservation ideals, and passed many acts such as the The Desert Act of 1877, Forest Reserve Act of 1891, The Carey Act of 1894, and the New lands Act of 1902. That may have been because the majority of the Congress had been in Roosevelt 's own power. They had also supported his fiscal reforms in passing the Aldrich-Vreeland Act, which authorized much needed change in currency and banking.

Out of all TR's achievements, the greatest one would be his concern for wildlife, and the conservation of nature. He had preserved 150 national forests, 5 national parks, and in all saved more than 200 million acres of land from industrialization. Furthermore he had created monuments and irrigation projects. However, he did not support just preserving the land to sit without corruption. He believed in multiple use resource management. This meant that Roosevelt felt the land could be both conserved and protected, while being able to be used for economic purposes. This action demonstrated just how great of a president Roosevelt was. He was able to compromise between two ideals- protecting the lands, and prospering the nation. He was able to please both sides of the problem while doing the right thing.

Teddy Roosevelt was full of energy and often deemed as acting like an 8 year old. Though the majority of the country loved this President, there were some that were not as pleased by the President. Some citizens believed that Roosevelt was too aggressive in his nature. This characteristic can be either good or bad, depending on one's perspective. Roosevelt was known to have some radical ideas, and this may have been a negative aspect of TR. When he created the Roosevelt Corollary, he had changed the Monroe Doctrine, a long lasted proclamation that had been in effect until Roosevelt 's term. Along with that, the foreign affairs that Roosevelt had conducted could have turned out terribly if something went awry. Thankfully however, Roosevelt created fantastic foreign affairs and did not come across much trouble. But just the fact he had an aggressive radical side, could have hurt him if he was provoked or something went differently.

President Roosevelt most defiantly made an influential impact on the nation and future presidencies. He was a prime example on how much power the executive branch could have by extending the power of a President than most chief executives had done in the past. His conservation achievements would benefit the country in the future, as well as his consumer protection acts. One of the most influential actions was the fiscal reforms he had created after the Panic of 1907. These reforms opened up a clear path for the Federal Reserve, which would help eliminate the country's currency and banking issues. He had also earned the title of "trust buster" which changed the way corporations had greatly influenced the country. He proved that the government was more powerful than the corporations, and that the government led the country.

In conclusion, the country was far better off than before Roosevelt 's presidency. He had given aid to the consumers, workers, and the country as a whole. The consumers were now educated on what really occurred in factories, and could now be more comforted about the quality of their food after the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906 the president had passed. The workers benefited more just and reasonable wages and conditions once TR reconignzed the labor unions and supported them, (example: the aphracite coal strike). He attempted to eliminate the "bad trusts", accumulating up to 44 cases to the Supreme Court. He had even managed to sufficiently reduce the national debt. Teddy Roosevelt made the United States recognized as a powerful country, and finally gained the respect they deserved. The country was happier off, and headed toward a great direction. There were no major negative consequences that occurred, and Theodore Roosevelt rightfully earns an evaluation of an A.

"American President: Theodore Roosevelt." //Miller Center of Public Affairs//. Web. 14 Nov. 2009. [].
 * Bibliography:**

"Biography of Theodore Roosevelt by Theodore Roosevelt Association." //About Theodore Roosevelt: President and more, from The Theodore Roosevelt Association.// Web. 14 Nov. 2009.

[].

DeGregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of US Presidents//. XII ed. Fort Lee, NJ: Barricade Books, 2009. Print.

"Theodore Roosevelt - Biography." //Nobelprize.org//. Web. 14 Nov. 2009. [].

"Theodore Roosevelt |." //The White House//. Web. 14 Nov. 2009. .