Theodore Roosevelt
Rise to the Presidency
The Republican Party decided to capitalize on Roosevelt’s newfound popularity, supporting him in his election to the governorship of New York state. He quickly became an energetic reformer, displeasing many in the establishment of his party as he sought to root out political corruption. His political enemies within the Republican party sought to remove him from the governorship by nominating him to be McKinley’s Vice President in the election of 1900, believing that his role would be largely ceremonial. But then President McKinley was killed, and Roosevelt became the President himself.
As President, Theodore Roosevelt took a deep interest in environmental conservation. He worked to establish America’s first national parks to protect the natural beauty that he loved. President Roosevelt also proposed “square deal” policies between workers and business owners and worked at “trust busting” to break up monopolies which had dominated the American corporate sector for decades.
He ordered the building of the Panama Canal, which would revolutionize global commerce forever. Finally, President Roosevelt established a strong American foreign policy that would change the way that America viewed the world going into the World War I. By the end of President Roosevelt’s administration, his name was synonymous with the fighting American spirit. His strength and integrity have inspired generations of Americans.
Furthermore, President Roosevelt’s efforts to preserve America’s natural beauty would earn him a place on Mount Rushmore, a monument in the Dakotas meant to honor remarkable American leaders for many future generations to come. There have been few Americans as tough, loyal, and courageous as President Theodore Roosevelt.
