Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Learn about Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
Transcript
Theodore Roosevelt was the 26th president of the United States. He steered the country toward an active role in world politics, especially in Europe and Asia.
Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858. He grew up in a wealthy family and was sickly as a boy. He later developed a strong body through exercise.
Roosevelt entered politics as a representative in the New York state legislature. In 1897, President William McKinley named him assistant secretary of the Navy.
When the Spanish-American War broke out the next year, Roosevelt organized a unit of volunteer fighters. They were called the Rough Riders because many of them were cowboys.
Roosevelt was declared a national hero for his actions during the war. He came home from the war and was elected governor of New York. The Republican Party nominated Roosevelt to be vice president to William McKinley in the 1900 presidential election. McKinley won the election, but was assassinated in 1901. Roosevelt became president, and in 1904 he was elected to a full term.
As president, Roosevelt stressed economic fairness and social justice. He called his program the Square Deal.
As part of the Square Deal, Roosevelt worked to prevent big companies from putting smaller companies out of business. Groups of big companies were called trusts, so Roosevelt became known as a “trust-buster.”
Roosevelt also worked to protect the country’s natural resources. He set aside lands as national forests and created several national parks and monuments.
In 1906, Roosevelt became the first U.S. president awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was honored for his efforts to end a war between Russia and Japan. Roosevelt left office in 1909.
Roosevelt founded the Progressive Party in 1912. He ran against William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson for president. Woodrow Wilson won.
Roosevelt died at his home, Sagamore Hill, in early January 1919.
Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858. He grew up in a wealthy family and was sickly as a boy. He later developed a strong body through exercise.
Roosevelt entered politics as a representative in the New York state legislature. In 1897, President William McKinley named him assistant secretary of the Navy.
When the Spanish-American War broke out the next year, Roosevelt organized a unit of volunteer fighters. They were called the Rough Riders because many of them were cowboys.
Roosevelt was declared a national hero for his actions during the war. He came home from the war and was elected governor of New York. The Republican Party nominated Roosevelt to be vice president to William McKinley in the 1900 presidential election. McKinley won the election, but was assassinated in 1901. Roosevelt became president, and in 1904 he was elected to a full term.
As president, Roosevelt stressed economic fairness and social justice. He called his program the Square Deal.
As part of the Square Deal, Roosevelt worked to prevent big companies from putting smaller companies out of business. Groups of big companies were called trusts, so Roosevelt became known as a “trust-buster.”
Roosevelt also worked to protect the country’s natural resources. He set aside lands as national forests and created several national parks and monuments.
In 1906, Roosevelt became the first U.S. president awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was honored for his efforts to end a war between Russia and Japan. Roosevelt left office in 1909.
Roosevelt founded the Progressive Party in 1912. He ran against William Howard Taft and Woodrow Wilson for president. Woodrow Wilson won.
Roosevelt died at his home, Sagamore Hill, in early January 1919.