Biography of Theodore RooseveltBy Dane Cooper

History

Born October 27, 1858 in New York City

Known by his family as “Teedie”, he did not like being called “teddy”

Was homeschooled because of asthma and illness

Graduated from Harvard College Magna cum laude in 1880

Early LifeRoosevelt and his cousins formed the “Roosevelt Museum of natural History”

Filled with animals he either caught or killed

He would study them and then place the animals on display

At age 9, TR wrote a paper entitled “The Natural History of Insects”

After being bullied by two boys, TR found a boxing coach to teach him how to fight and become stronger

Was the runner-up in the Harvard boxing tournament

Loved his father deeply, “My father was the best man I ever knew.”

Used his father’s death as fuel to his fire

Following CollegeEntered Columbia Law School, though he thought law was irrational

Wrote The Naval War of 1812

Served the New York National Guard from 1882-1886

Married first wife, Alice Hathaway Lee, and had a child, Alice Lee Roosevelt

Alice passed away two days after giving birth due to kidney failure

Eventually, Roosevelt dropped out of law school and ran for public office

“I intended to be one of the governing class”

The HunterBuilt a ranch, Elk Horn in North Dakota

Published 3 books – Hunting Trips of a Ranchman, Ranch Life and the Hunting-Trail, and The Wilderness Hunter

Was also a Deputy Sheriff – caught three outlaws, guarded them for 40 hours without sleep as he brought them back for a trial

Responsible for the Little Missouri Stockmen’s Association and the Boone and Crockett Club

Marriage and The Public

In 1886 married second wife, Edith Kermit Carow, and had 5 children – Theodore “Ted” III, Kermit, Ethel, Archibald and Quentin

In 1888, appointed to the United States Civil Service Commission

President of the board of New York City Police Commissioners

Reformed “one of the most corrupt police forces in America”

Naval Affairs

In 1897, TR was appointed as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy

This allowed him to start implementing some of his national security views

He particularly wanted Spain out of Cuba

After the battleship Maine exploded, TR became the acting Secretary for four hours

He prepared the Navy for war

Was a key figure in having the Navy prepared for the Spanish-American War

The War in Cuba

TR and Leonard Wood created the US Volunteer Cavalry Regiment

They were known as the “Rough Riders”

TR and the Rough Riders went to Cuba on June 23, 1898

The Rough Riders were known for their charge up Kettle Hill

They were lead by TRThe famous moment came with 200 killed and 1000 wounded

“The only way to get them to di it in the way it had to be done was to lead them myself”

The ColonelRoosevelt was rewarded the Medal of Honor for the Battle of Kettle Hill

Speaking about that battle TR said, “the great day of my life” and “my crowded hour”

TR wanted to be called “The Colonel”, but Teddy seemed to stick

He actually despised being called Teddy

Political Career

Ran for Governor of New York and wonRelied heavily on his war career during campaigning

Square Deal Tactics

Many believe that during his time as governor was when TR shaped many of his views that he took with him to the presidency

Ford Franchise-Tax BillThis taxed public franchises granted by the state and controlled by corporations

Death in the Vice Presidency

In 1899, President McKinley’s Vice-President, Garret Hobart, died from a heart attack

“Speak softly and carry a big stick, and you will go far”

Theodore Roosevelt accepted the Vice Presidency Had many critics who viewed him as too “cowboy” like

McKinley refused to make him Secretary of War, thought the Vice-Presidency could do no harm

The Vice Presidency did not really suite TRNot enough power

He could not promote his views and ideas

Death of a President

With McKinley dying after being shot, on September 14, 1901 TR became the 26 President of the United States

Roosevelt showed his loyalty by keeping McKinley’s cabinet and promoting his views

TR served the rest of his first term without a Vice President

Law stated a VP turned President could not select a Vice President

Political Policies At Home

Asked Congress to curb the power of TrustsTrust-buster

Over 40 antitrust suites

Pure Food and Drug Act

The Meat Inspection Act of 1906

Conserved 230 million acres of land, including national parks, wild life preserves and even state monuments

Negotiated the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike settlement

Believed that the Federal Government had a duty to bring equality to the public

Wanted to regulate and reformCritics and friends wondered at times if there was anything that he would not want to change or make better

Political Policy AbroadMediated a treaty which led to the end of the Russo-Japanese War

Received a Nobel Peace Prize for this

Focused heavily on areas that would help defensively for the US – The panama Canal project

Gentlemen’s Agreement of 1907 – resolved tensions with Japan

Believed US had a global duty

Brought Stability to Venezuela and San Domingo

“Open-Door” policy with China

Kept European Powers balanced

Sent the Great White Fleet on a world tour, to show America’s Naval Power

Skilled with the Media

Used the Media to his advantageUnderstood how important it was to have the public on his side

He was very well liked, and a fan off the people

Made sure that the White House was prevalent every single day

Held Press Conferences

Always in contact with the media

Was always cheerful and enthusiasticThis was extremely infectious and made many people like him

Carved the path for how the Executive Office uses Media even today

A Fair LeaderWas a fair person

Humble, Honest and believed that everyone had the right to a square deal

Changed the way that people looked at the Presidency

He wanted to regulate everything

He still allowed the people who worked under him to breathe

Was not controlling in that way

Post Presidency

Pushed for Taft to be his successor

Went on a hunting expedition in East and Central AfricaKilled/Trapped over 11,400 animals for the Smithsonian Institution and the American Museum of Natural History

Wrote about the safari in African Game Trails

Formation of the Bull Moose PartyTR announced, “I accept the progressive nomination on a progressive platform and I shall fight to the end, win or lose”

“My feeling is that the Democrats will probably win if they nominate a progressive”

Post Presidency cont.

While Campaigning in Wisconsin, TR was shot by John Flammang Schrank

He gave a 90 minute speech after he was shot in the chest

“Takes more than a bullet to kill a bull moose!”

Kept the bullet with him for the rest of his life

Eventually lost the election to Wilson

Wrote Through the Brazilian Wilderness – which talked about his expedition through the Brazilian jungle

Got extremely sick TR wrote to a friend that this trip probably cut his life short by 10 years

Death of a Hero

Through WWI, TR supported the Allies, he also stayed politically active

His son Quentin, a pilot with the American Forces, was shot down in 1918

He never recovered from the death of his youngest son

On January 5, 1919 Roosevelt died in his sleep from a blood clot that traveled to his lungs

Wilson’s Vice President said, “Death had to take Roosevelt sleeping, for if he had been awake, there would have been a fight.”

Works CitedAvlon, John. "Why Obama Is Listening to Teddy Roosevelt for 2012 - CNN.com." CNN. Cable News Network, 7 Dec. 2011. Web. 29 June 2015. <http://www.cnn.com/2011/12/06/opinion/avlon- teddy-roosevelt/>.

Crezo, Adrienne. "The Time Teddy Roosevelt Got Shot in the Chest, Gave Speech Anyway." Mental Floss. Will Pearson, 2012. Web. 25 June 2015.

Meehan, Max. "Admitted?! Now What?" Admitted?! Now What? Harvard College, 31 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 June 2015. <https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/hear-our-students/student-blog/admitted- now-what>.

Meehan, Max. "Admitted?! Now What?" Admitted?! Now What? Harvard College, 31 Mar. 2015. Web. 29 June 2015. <https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/hear-our-students/student-blog/admitted- now-what>.

"Real Teddy Bear Story." - Theodore Roosevelt Association. Theodore Roosevelt Association, n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.

"Teddy Roosevelt Foreign Policy Cartoon." Stand Up For America. N.p., 29 Oct. 2009. Web. 25 June 2015.

"Theodore Roosevelt Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, n.d. Web. 29 June 2015. <http:// www.biography.com/people/theodore-roosevelt-9463424>.

"Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site." Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site. National Parks Conservation Association, n.d. Web. 25 June 2015.

Wuerker, Matt. "POLITICO Matt Wuerker." Political Cartoons: Obama Channels Teddy Roosevelt. Politico, 31 Dec. 2011. Web. 29 June 2015. <http://www.politico.com/wuerker/2012/03/political- cartoons-december-2011/000014-000116.html>.