Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909)

TR's Domestic Reforms - Food and Special Dinner

Oversaw the passage of the 1906 Clean Food and Drug Act. A long time goal of social reformers and other progressives. For the first time put meaningful regulations in place to make sure food was safe. Also invited civil rights leaders Booker T. Washington to dinner at the White House. Washington becomes the first African American to dine at the White House. Leads to a firestorm (a dispute where there is strong disagreement) from segregationist politicians and the press.

Theodore before he was President

Came from a wealthy family but life wasn't necessarily easy for him. Built a political career in NY politics as an assemblyman, Police Commissioner of NYC, Civil Service Commissioner of NY, and eventually Governor of the State. Is appointed as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and becomes a war hero in the Spanish-American War. Reluctantly accepts William McKinley's offer to be his VP running mate.

Theodore's Presidential Approach and Beliefs

Cared about optics (the way in which an event or course of action is perceived by the public) and appearance in a way his predecessors largely hadn't. Believed in the positive powers of the presidency. Unlike many Progressives, TR believed he didn't always need to study a subject to know what was right. He was not a caretaker for a few years: he had a clear idea what the nation should be doing at home and abroad. He strongly believed in his policies and if Congress didn't support him he appealed directly to the public for support or signed an executive order to put his policies into play. He believed the president should do whatever the nation required unless forbidden by the Constitution or the law. He was an activist like the country has never seen before and is known as "The First Modern President"

How did TR cement US' place as a major power?

He did this by negotiating an end to the Russo-Japanese War as well as the Anglo-German Morocco Crisis of 1905-06. He also had the US Navy circumnavigate the world to demonstrate its power.

How did TR become president?

He was VP to William McKinley and became president when McKinley got shot in 1901.

What was the Square Deal?

It was TR's domestic program. Roosevelt reflected three basic goals: conservation of natural resources which he did through the Antiquities Act, control of corporations, and consumer protection which he did through the 1906 Clean Food and Drug Act.

Political Party

Republican

TR's feelings towards Big Businesses

Roosevelt gets the reputation as being willing to challenge big business. He did go after the National Securities Company as well as several key rail roads. But he was continuing a trend begun by his predecessors and carried out more enthusiastically by those that followed him. But he was more vocal in his denouncement of trusts than any of his predecessors and that helped shape his public image. Yet he also believed that big business built America. It wasn't that big companies were bad in general just some of them were bad for the nation.

TR's Foreign Policy

Roosevelt worked to expand America's role and prestige overseas. Worked to secure American control over Panama and the Panama Canal. Won the Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the end of a war between Russia and Japan. Also worked to expand America's role and presence in Latin America.

TR's Domestic Reforms - Nature and the Civil Service

The amount of land protected by the US Government expanded significantly under Roosevelt. Roosevelt felt that this was important to the nation and uses the Antiquities Act(An Act for the Preservation of American Antiquities referring to the ancient past, especially the period before the Middle Ages) with little hesitation. Adds fuel to the modern environmental movement. TR continued his push for civil service reform (the permanent professional branches of a government's administration, excluding military and judicial branches and elected politicians) after he entered the White House. He had ripple effects throughout the US government, though some departments proved surprisingly hesitant at instituting reforms.