Daily President: Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)

I said I'd get around to starting a daily president thing a while ago, and today we finally start it with Teddy Roosevelt! So, let's discuss him, shall we?




His manly exploits, exuberant personality, and political skills helped to make him one of the most beloved presidents even over a century after he left office. He was sickly and weak as a child, but overcame his ailments through strenuous exercise that helped develop his tough persona. In college, he developed a love of nature, and politics that would come to be huge parts of his life. Under President McKinley, Roosevelt was secretary of the Navy and famously fought on San Juan Hill with the Rough Riders during the war with Spain. In 1900, McKinley selected Roosevelt as his running mate for reelection, and together they won a decisive victory against the Democratic challenger, William Jennings Bryan. Following McKinley's assassination in 1901 by a Polish anarchist named Leon Czolgosz at the New York World's Fair, Roosevelt became president, ushering in the progressive era of American politics. In his first term, Roosevelt became the "trust-buster" by breaking corporate monopolies and regulating business, he also established new national parks and other sites to help conserve the American nature he loved so much. One of Roosevelt's biggest achievements during his first term was in his Central America-focused foreign policy, the building of the Panama Canal, bringing a brand new Atlantic-Pacific trade route into being (and as a side effect, the independence of the nation of Panama). Roosevelt was reelected in 1904 and although a lot of his attempted legislation was blocked by congress, he continued to pass his progressive policies. In 1908, Roosevelt abided by the two-term tradition and stepped out of office, with his chosen successor, William H. Taft, becoming president. During Taft's administration, he grew increasingly frustrated by what he perceived as Taft's too conservative presidency, and so, in the next election, he formed the Bull Moose Party to try and win a third term, running against his old friend Taft, who was reluctantly seeking a second term. Roosevelt did well at the polls, but was ultimately defeated by the Democrat Woodrow Wilson, and passed away 7 years later.

Tomorrow's president will be: Rutherford B. Hayes

Glad to see this series finally starting, looking forward to the other presidents being discussed

I think Roosevelt was a great president, who did much to define the executive powers of modern day presidents of the USA. He also did a tremendous job breaking up monopolies and stopping the country from becoming dominated by an overly powerful upper class (at least for the time being). Even though his foreign policy was quite imperialist, it did change the perception of the US from isolating itself from world events to spreading American values to the rest of the world. Despite this, he had several progressive policies, many which continue to this day.

I think the USA and the world in general would be a much different place had Roosevelt had not become president on that fateful day of 1901

Roosevelt was crazy at times, but a great president.