Robbie+H.+-+TR+-+SP10

//October 27, 1858 - January 6, 1919 Terms of Office: 1901-1904, 1904-1909 Vice President(s): Charles Fairbanks Political Party: Republican//
 * __Theodore Roosevelt__**

Stepping up to the presidential platform after his predecessor was murdered by an anarchist, Theodore Roosevelt was a capable president who oversaw the progressive changes in America at the time. Theodore's positive involvement with America's labor and corporations as well as his extensive efforts to preserve the United State's resources have earned Roosevelt the grade of an A.
 * __Thesis:__**

Roosevelt had a very important goal when he came into office, "Speak softly and carry a big stick and you will go far." Roosevelt made it a goal of his to allow this philosophy to be reflected in his decisions as president. Another goal of Roosevelt included the construction of a canal as to easier travel South America. Incase of military conflicts, as well as protect their newly acquired territories of Puerto Rico and Hawaii. Roosevelt later accomplished this goal by purchasing a newly extended route (originally miles now to ten miles) for fourty million dollars from the Panamanian minister. Also one of Roosevelt's goals was to keep European powers out of Latin America in fear that they might stay and establish themselves. Roosevelt ensured they would stay out of Latin America by using his big stick policy to declare that in the future any future financial problems with Latin America would allow the United States to intervene, take over their debts and pay them in full. One of the last goals of Roosevelt was to better preserve American land through the several national parks and other programs he established. Lastly, Roosevelt made it a goal of his to break down on company trusts holding monopolies which he was very successful, initiating over fourty legal proceedings against them.
 * __Goals as President:__**

Roosevelt had the special privileged of having a majority in both the house and the senate. His power in numbers allowed him to pass much legislation ranging from domestic land issues to foreign affairs. Congress even passed Roosevelt's controversial Corollary which was tacked onto the Monroe Doctrine which simply stated the United States could intervene to prevent other nations from intervening. Following this new change Roosevelt successfully passed much legislation to preserve nature in the United States as well as important legislation better controlling gigantic corporations and giving some power to the workers. Roosevelt's clashes with congress would in fact come later after his presidency when Roosevelt was fighting with Taft over certain policies Taft was going back on.
 * __President and Congress:__**

Roosevelt's most positive outcome as president was his hand in dealing with labor and industry. Roosevelt was afraid that public interest was slowly fading, Roosevelt thus created a Square Deal program for labor. It was proven successful when coal miners in Pennsylvania went on strike. Roosevelt seeing the dwindling coal supplies threatened to take federal control of the mines. The owners of the mine then negotiated new terms with the miners which restored order. A follow up to his square deal with labor was the creation of the Department of Commerce and Labor. Essentially this department could search businesses engaged in interstate commerce to end monopolies and break trusts. Roosevelt continued his aggression against trusts going after the railroads and other monopolistic businesses. Roosevelt's constant advocating of workers rights and his ambition to end company trusts were some of the greater accomplishments during his presidency. Roosevelt like many presidents also had negative events happen under their rule. The Roosevelt panic of 1907 occurred during Roosevelt's second term. Conservative Republicans were becoming weary of Roosevelt's drive to control corporations, tax income and protect workers. Roosevelt announced that under no circumstances would he run for a third term. This was a political blunder as people now didn't feel like they had to listen to Roosevelt because he would eventually be gone. The chaos that ensued shook America's financial world as they blamed Roosevelt's shaking of the industries. He quickly responded blaming select wealthy people of having caused the crisis as to lighten government control of business. However, even Roosevelts negative had a positive outcome as it called for "fiscal" reform which altered banks.
 * __Positive/ Negative Outcome:__**

Roosevelt took notice of American's idea that their natural resources were endless and they could pollute without consequences. Being the outdoors Roosevelt was he began to save the environment by starting with the Desert Land Act under which the government could sell desert land cheaply if the buyer promised to irrigate the land. Other acts included the Forest Reserve Act, the Cary Act, and Newlands Act all these acts helped preserve nature while allowing it to be used. Many of these acts we still see today reflected in our national parks. If not for Roosevelt's cautious hand in saving the environment we might have been too far gone in the future to realize we were hurting ourselves.
 * __President After Effects:__**

Roosevelt can be seen as one of the most prominent and well rounded presidents of the ages. Using his big stick policy he was successful in foreign affairs as well as labor issues. He was able to delegate problems and keep everything fair. If not for his trust busting workers would still be discriminated by big business and I believe the country was much better off after Roosevelt was gone for he also left us nature to preserve and enjoy. The numberless successes of Theodore Roosevelt are the reasons he deserves an A.
 * __Conclusion:__**

Cohen, Lizabeth, and Thomas A. Bailey David M. Kennedy. //The American Pageant, A History of the Republic (2002 12th Edition)//. 12th ed. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002. Print. Degregorio, William A.. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents, Seventh Edition (Complete Book of Us Presidents)//. 7 ed. Fort Lee: Barricade Books, 2009. Print.
 * __Work Cited__**