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 * Theodore Roosevelt ** (October 27, 1858 - January 6, 1919)
 * Political Party: ** Republican
 * Terms: ** (1901-1905) and (1905-1909)
 * Vice President: ** 1901-1905: None, 1905-1909:Charles Warren Fairbanks

Theodore Roosevelt is one of the most remembered American presidents. His charismatic personality and “just do it” motto helped him attain many accomplishments. For his many accomplishments, Theodore Roosevelt deserves a “B+” for his presidency. Roosevelt became president after the assassination of William McKinley. Although Roosevelt’s personality was different than McKinley’s personality, Roosevelt assured the country that he would carry out McKinley’s policies. Among his goals were to represent all people, conserve wilderness, increase foreign trade, and make America’s foreign policy more active. He successfully carried out these goals. He had a very outgoing and honest personality. He loved being with people and people loved being with him. One group of people he truly helped during his presidency was the small businessmen. He also helped all consumers. He did this by keeping large companies in check. He became known as a trustbuster. He brought many trusts to court and those that only wanted power were deemed illegal. He showed that the government ruled the country, not private business. His conservation goal was a great triumph. He set aside one hundred and twenty-five million acres in federal reserves. He showed that we could use America’s bountiful resources intelligently instead of wastefully. Roosevelt met his goal of increasing foreign trade by building the Panama Canal. This canal enabled America to transport goods quickly to and from the Far East. It linked together the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. The construction of the canal helped to make America more involved with other countries. Other ways Roosevelt did this was by negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War and through the Roosevelt Corollary. The Roosevelt Corollary had a policy of preventive intervention. It stated that in future financial issues of Latin America, America would intervene, take over customhouses, and pay off the debts. This means that the United States would intervene to stop other countries from intervening. Roosevelt’s foreign policy made America more involved in the world. Roosevelt had a good relationship with congress. The majority, like Roosevelt, were Republican in House and Senate. This brought much support for Roosevelt. This strong relationship allowed for many accomplishments during Roosevelt’s presidency. The Panama Canal was built, linking the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean. Laws were created for his antitrust policy. The Elkins Act stopped railroads from granting rebates to their favored customers. The Hepburn Act strengthened railroad regulations. Laws in health were also made to protect people. They were the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act. Roosevelt’s accomplishment in conservation is considered his greatest success. Laws were created that set aside land for protection and made funds to construct great dams for irrigation. Congress supported Roosevelt even though his aggressive and egoist personality caused him to take control and not care about the checks and balances in government. He just took the lead and left Congress chasing after him.

The most positive outcome of Roosevelt’s presidency was the Panama Canal. A construction of a canal had been an idea for four centuries until Roosevelt finally made it happen. Without Roosevelt’s aggressive and stubborn personality, he probably would not have succeeded in getting the canal built. First, the Hay-Pauncefote Treaty (1901) was needed between America and Britain to nullify the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty so that a canal route could be built. Then the Columbian Senate rejected America’s treaty that would buy the land for the construction. This caused the State of Panama to revolt. Bunau-Varilla, head of the canal construction company, led the revolt with bought Columbian troops. When Columbian troops rose to crush the uprising, the U.S. Navy would not let them cross the isthmus. Roosevelt said that it would violate the Treaty of 1846 which called for U.S. neutrality of the isthmus. Next, Roosevelt extended recognition to Panama as a country and Bunau-Varilla was made minister. The Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty sold America more land then in the original treaty for the same price, so that the canal could be wider. Construction on the Panama Canal began in 1904 and it was completed in 1914. It has linked the Atlantic and Pacific Ocean, creating a faster trade route for America to the Far East.

The most negative aspect of Roosevelt’s presidency was the Panic of 1907. He was blamed for it because of his trust-busting, but it actually was not his fault. It was caused by hard-pressed banks not being able to increase their money in circulation. This meant that they were reluctant to lend money to poorer competitors. When speculators went to banks to pull out their money, the banks were already out of money. One effect of the Panic was the Aldrich-Vreeland Act (1908). It authorized national banks to issue emergency currency backed by various kinds of collateral. The Panic of 1907 made people realize that great reforms in banking were needed. Roosevelt influenced future generations with his conservation campaign. Roosevelt loved the outdoors, so the wasteful actions of others saddened him. He was tired of seeing America’s beauty destroyed. North America had so many wondrous resources but citizens were taking them for granted. They were thoughtlessly destroying them. Roosevelt decided to change that. The Newlands Act of 1902 authorized the government to collect money from the public sale of lands in the west and use that money on irrigation projects. Multiple dams were built and one hundred and twenty-five acres of forest was set aside in federal reserves. Roosevelt showed America that resources could be used intelligently. His work has helped save resources for future generations. It was a huge step in saving the environment.

Theodore Roosevelt left the country better off. He had many accomplishments during his presidency that helped future generations, such as the Panama Canal and his conservation campaign. The Panic of 1907, which was not caused by Roosevelt, was one of the few failures during his presidency. His personality made him a great leader. He was not afraid to get things done and he was great with people, which made him successful. For his many lasting accomplishments, Theodore Roosevelt deserves a “B+” for his presidency.

DeGregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents//. Fort Lee, N.J: Barricade Books, 2005. Print. Low, A. M. "Panama Canal." //World History International//. Web. 25 Nov. 2009. . "Railroad Legislation." //United States// //History//. Web. 25 Nov. 2009. <[]>. "Theodore Roosevelt Biography." Web. 25 Nov. 2009. .
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