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Theodore Roosevelt Born: October 27, 1858 Died: January 6, 1919 Political Party: Republican / Bull Moose Party Term Years: September 14, 1901-March 3, 1909 (elected only once) Vice President: Charles Fairbanks 1904- 1908

Theodore Roosevelt was one of the most popular and energetic presidents who ever had the privilage of entering the Oval Office. Although not at heart a politician, he certainly was a great benefit to the country. He made such strides as gaining the land for and building the Panama Canal, passing the Meat Inspection Act, Pure Food and Drug Act and the national parks program. Once all is said and done the only negative thing that came from TR's presidency was his international policies in South America which were nothing more than his "Rough Rider" interpretation of the Monroe Docterine. Overall I give Teddy Roosevelt an A for his time in office.

Roosevelt did not have many goals when he took office because he did not know fate was going to put him in such a situation. Roosevelt did beleive in mostly Republican values and stuck to them throughout his Presidency. He consistantly stengthened the executive branch and beleived that he could do anything to in his mind help the American people as long as it was not directly forbidden by the law or constitution. HIs now famous motto was "Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far" which is a perfect summary of his foreign policies in South America; as he constantly intervened in their government business without direct need.

Roosevelt gained control of the Presidency during a consistantly Republican era in American politics. For this reason Roosevelt didn't have many problems doing virtually whatever he set his mind to. These actions include the creation of the Panama Canal, the Meat Inspection Act, National Park Program and the "Big Stick" policy. Without this clear advantage I doubt Roosevelt would have been as great a President as he turned out to be.

The most negative outcome of the Roosevelt Presidency is most definatly the idea of Roosevelts "Big Stick" and the roles it played in attempting to shape poitics in South America. Roosevelts constant and sometimes uncalled for interventions lead to a growing distaste for the American government which is never a good thing. Although he did it in the name of the once crucial and helpful Monroe Docterine, Roosevelts big stick spin was a majorly undemocratic policy. Another example of the Big Stick showing itself was during the Gentlemen's Agreement in which Roosevelt strong armed a treaty between Russia and Japan which eventually lead to both countries walking away with a bitter taste for American diplomacy.

The most positive and also most effective out come toward future generations of the Roosevelt Pesidency in my opinion was the creation of the Panama Canal. It opened up the trade and naval power of the United States to completely flourish into the Pacific Ocean. Not to mention it anchored American Interests to stay in Southern America. The Panama Canal remained a US posession and asset for many years to come and was crucial in WWII. Although there were many long lasting and positive advancements made while TR was in office the most profitable and long lasting was certainly the Panama Canal.

In conclusion TR was an overwhelming personality which in many places made him an extrordinary leader but was also his one downfall. TR was a stubborn cowboy who was not always open to new ways of thinking but instead relied on his own wit and personal judgement and because of this great determination and ability I give him an A for his Presidency.

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