Theodore Roosevelt

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LC-USZC4-701 (17518506711)

Theodore Roosevelt (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was an American statesman, conservationist, naturalist, historian, and writer, who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909. He was a leader of the Republican Party and founder of the Progressive Party insurgency of 1912. Born into a wealthy family in New York City, Roosevelt was a sickly child who suffered from asthma. Despite his health issues, he embraced a strenuous lifestyle.

Early Life

Roosevelt was born to a wealthy family in New York City; his father, Theodore Roosevelt Sr., was a well-known philanthropist, and his mother, Martha Bulloch Roosevelt, was a Southern belle from a prominent Georgia family. Roosevelt was homeschooled due to his health conditions, but he developed a passion for nature and physical fitness, which would influence his policies as president.

Political Career

Roosevelt's political career began in the New York State Assembly, where he served from 1882 to 1884. He gained a reputation as a reformer who fought against corruption. After the deaths of his wife and mother on the same day in 1884, he moved to the Dakota Territory, where he lived as a rancher and sheriff. Returning to New York, Roosevelt held several positions, including president of the New York City Police Board and Assistant Secretary of the U.S. Navy.

Following his service in the Spanish-American War, where he led the Rough Riders in the Battle of San Juan Hill, Roosevelt's national profile increased. He was elected governor of New York in 1898 and then became the vice president under William McKinley in 1901. Upon McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt became the youngest president in history at age 42.

Presidency

As president, Roosevelt was known for his foreign policy, corporate reforms, and ecological conservation efforts. He was instrumental in negotiating the end of the Russo-Japanese War, for which he won the Nobel Peace Prize. Domestically, he is celebrated for his role in the Progressive Era, pushing for the regulation of corporations, the enforcement of antitrust laws, and the protection of consumers. He also established numerous national parks, forests, and monuments, laying the groundwork for the modern conservation movement.

Later Years and Legacy

After leaving office, Roosevelt went on an African safari and a speaking tour of Europe. In 1912, he ran for president again as a member of the Progressive Party, also known as the "Bull Moose Party," but lost to Woodrow Wilson. Roosevelt's health declined, and he died in 1919 at the age of 60.

Roosevelt's legacy is vast; he is often ranked among the greatest U.S. presidents for his contributions to the nation's economic policies, military strength, and conservation efforts. His face is depicted on Mount Rushmore alongside George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln, symbolizing his importance in American history.

See Also

• List of Presidents of the United States
• Progressive Era
• Conservation in the United States

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