Premium Essay

How Did Theodore Roosevelt Change The World

Submitted By
Words 720
Pages 3
In the 1900 presidential election, President McKinley won a second term in office. His vice president was Theodore Roosevelt, America's favorite hero from the Spanish-American War. In September 1901, McKinley was shot and killed by an assassin, and Roosevelt became president.

Roosevelt Calls for a Canal In his first speech to Congress as president, Roosevelt called for the United States to build a canal to join the Atlantic and Pacific oceans. “No single great material work which remains to be undertaken on this continent is of such consequence to the American people,” he told the lawmakers. President Roosevelt wanted to make the United States a great power that could exert influence around the world. A canal would be a way to achieve this …show more content…
In 1903, Roosevelt offered Colombia $10 million for land in their province of Panama, the narrowest part of Central America. The Colombian senate refused, believing that the United States was trying to take a weaker country's valuable resources.
Furious, Roosevelt sent a U.S. warship to Panama. Roosevelt knew that Panamanians wanted independence from Colombia. The day after the ship arrived, a revolution started in Panama. With U.S. marines keeping Colombian soldiers from reaching Panama's harbors, the rebels quickly won.
The new country of Panama agreed to accept $10 million in exchange for giving the United States control over a “canal zone” ten miles wide. Some U.S. senators and newspapers—and countries all over the world—objected to America's “gunboat diplomacy.” But most of the public supported the president.
Roosevelt once wrote, “I have always been fond of the West African proverb: ‘Speak softly and carry a big stick; you will go far.'” He believed in working patiently to achieve goals overseas but using force if necessary. His strong approach to foreign affairs became known as the Big Stick …show more content…
He reminded his audience that the Monroe Doctrine was issued by President Monroe in 1823 to prevent further European colonization in the Americas. Yet nearly a century later, Roosevelt noted, many countries in the hemisphere were still too weak to defend themselves. He said that the United States therefore must use “international police power” to preserve peace and order in the Western Hemisphere and protect American interests. He claimed that this power would help protect weak nations. Roosevelt described this power as a direct extension of the Monroe Doctrine. For that reason, his statement became known as the Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Theodore Roosevelt's Influence On Football

...The world of sport has undergone many iterations, from mirroring the life-and-death situations of the early peoples to its current state that typically stirs a sense of patriotism. Sport at its core was a “social technology”, something that would create culture and bring people together. In the late 1800s to the early 1900s, a period of time known as the Gilded Age, sport particularly became a symbol of national strength and unity. Sport was used to “Americanize” the influx of immigrants and create a culture of good men who held values similar to home-grown Americans. Football in particular took hold in most colleges as a way to pull more students to their universities and gain a higher amount of alumni support. Yet football was especially...

Words: 1524 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Theodora Roosevelt

...Theodore Roosevelt, “A Multifaceted Man” As a foreigner to the United States of America, I have recently studied the lives and leadership skills of American presidents from George Washington to current presidency and I found Theodore Roosevelt as the most productive and intriguing of them all. A man that was very hardworking, diligent, focus and prepared for everything he did. Who is Theodore Roosevelt? A person with such incredible character and quality, selfless personality, concerned about the situation of less privilege people and those not in the position of authority or power. He had a very peculiar childhood. According to Encyclopedia of World Biography, “Roosevelt was born in New York City on Oct. 27, 1858. His father was of an old Dutch mercantile family long prominent in the city's affairs. His mother came from an established Georgia family of Scotch-Irish and Huguenot ancestry. A buoyant, dominant figure, his father was the only man, young Roosevelt once said, he "ever feared." He imbued his son with an acute sense of civic responsibility and an attitude of noblesse oblige. Partly because of a severe asthmatic condition, Theodore was educated by private tutors until 1876, when he entered Harvard College. Abandoning plans to become a naturalist, he developed political and historical interests, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and finished twenty-first in a class of 158. He also began writing The Naval War of 1812 (1882), a work of limited range but high technical...

Words: 2500 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

Progressive Presidents

...President Theodore Roosevelt and President Woodrow Wilson to change the way that American government handles different policies and who it affects and how. We will also look at how these two are similar. The Progressive Party, believing that a free people should have the power from time to time to amend their fundamental law so as to adapt it progressively to the changing needs of the people, pledges itself to provide a more easy and expeditious method of amending the Federal Constitution by allowing for people to intervene into the policies the amendment also. Theodore Roosevelt was a president that believed that the people should allow for growth that will allow for the United States to grow and referred to him that he could be compared to a dictator with the way that he thinks. Roosevelt believed that to gain a promotion in anything you do should be earned and not given. Roosevelt theory was that we should not sit around and wait for something to happen that we should take things by force. Roosevelt also stated that he would that he stands for what is known as a square deal this means that in current government that he will stand behind the working person and if a person is poor that there is no help for a lazy person because he feels that a person is lazy should not receive any help because he stated that a person should not receive the benefits if they are not trying. In 1902 the coal strikes took place as President Theodore Roosevelt was in office. Roosevelt threatened...

Words: 852 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

New Nationalism and Teddy Roosevelt: the New Ideals of Federal Intervention, Social Justice and Economic Welfare for the Nation.

...New Nationalism and Teddy Roosevelt: The new ideals of federal intervention, social justice and economic welfare for the Nation. Abstract In 1901 when President McKinley was assassinated, Roosevelt confronted sentiment, especially from the older members of the Republican Party, that he was not the right person to lead the country, often referring to him as “His Accidency.” Roosevelt was interested in quickly changing the mood of the country and establishing his legitimacy to his new position. He did so by introducing a “New Nationalist” form of Progressivism. When Roosevelt was sworn in, the Progressive Party had already been developing and growing since the end of the 19th century. It advocated for reforms and the lead of the government in changing society’s problems in response to socio-economic and political imbalances. Such thinking was a radical change in the country’s mindset, with earlier efforts supporting private efforts to solve the nation’s ills. The Progressive party had a broad platform, but the overall goal was for government to implement and lead efforts to alter societal inequalities. The Progressives called for eliminating corruption in the federal government as well as supporting a social welfare program, the women’s vote, penal system reform, and prohibition. Although the issue of civil rights for African-Americans was of concern of some members, this issue was not formally included in any of the Progressive party’s literature. With the support of...

Words: 5710 - Pages: 23

Premium Essay

World Leaders

...World Leaders During the 1930’s, America was in a state of fear. Fear of the depression that was going on, and fear of the war that was taking place in Europe. People needed someone to calm their anxiety. They turned to their president, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. If anyone was going to get the American people out of a jam, it would be the President. It was the way President Franklin D. Roosevelt lead America to become one of the most prosperous countries that put him on the list of America’s most admired leader. Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was born on January 30, 1882 to a wealthy family. FDR was a distant cousin of former President Theodore Roosevelt. Like his cousin, Franklin Roosevelt took interest in politics but as a democrat. He based his educational career to help him enter the world of politics. He attended the Groton School and Harvard University before attending Columbia Law School. In 1905, Franklin married his cousin Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor Roosevelt was the niece of Theodore Roosevelt. After that, Franklin Roosevelt climbed the political ladder. “In 1910 Roosevelt was elected to the New York Senate” (www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.). From there he was appointed the assistant secretary of the Navy and then the Democratic nominee for Vice President in 1920. “In the summer of 1921, Roosevelt became seriously ill. He was eventually diagnosed as suffering from poliomyelitis (polio). He was almost totally paralyzed and he was never again to recover...

Words: 1337 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Progressive Era

... economic ,and political reform that took place after the gilded age. The primary purpose of the progressive era was to correct the mistakes in America that had taken place during the gilded age and progress the United States forward in the right direction. At the end of the gilded age the common American life was pretty crummy. People were controlled by corrupt governments and monopolies it was extremely difficult to get a job so many people were living in the streets. This all began to change with the election of Theodore Roosevelt and his Square Deal. The square deal aimed to help with the labor ,business, consumion , and environment of the American people. Theodore passed many laws to improve...

Words: 827 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

Dr.Whitaker and Food

...Wiley, Theodore Roosevelt, and the Federal Regulation of Food and Drugs By Anthony Gaughan Food and Drug Law Mr. Peter Barton Hutt Harvard Law School Winter 2004 Introduction In 1906 Congress passed two landmark pieces of legislation: the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act. The acts emerged from the reformist ethos of the Progressive Era, a time when the federal government took on a new and much more active role in the everyday lives of ordinary Americans. Of all the laws passed during the Progressive Era, no legislation proved more successful and more enduring than the 1906 food and drug legislation. The acts established the foundations of modern American food and drug law, and gave birth to the Food and Drug Administration. For the first time, the federal government assumed permanent and comprehensive responsibility for the health and safety of the American food and drug supply. Although the statutes have been revised many times since 1906, the essence of modern food and drug law remains consistent with the principles of federal responsibility for consumer safety that underlay the first statutes a century ago. The passage of the 1906 food and drug legislation stemmed from the actions of many people across the political landscape, ranging from Senator Albert Beveridge to socialist writer Upton Sinclair. But no indi- 1 viduals played a larger public role in the passage of the Meat Inspection Act and the Pure Food and Drug Act than Theodore Roosevelt...

Words: 11660 - Pages: 47

Premium Essay

The Pros And Cons Of The Progressive Movement

...“I am in this cause with my whole heart and soul. I believe that the Progressive movement is making life a little easier for all our people; a movement to try to take the burdens off the men and especially the women and children of this country. I am absorbed in the success of that movement.” – Theodore Roosevelt Progressivism reached its peak in the United States during the late 19th century, in which it was a reform movement that many took part in to make the country excel in all areas of society including: politically, socially, and economically. Progressives wanted to eliminate waste and corruption, supported improved child labor laws, minimum wage legislation, graduated income tax, and equality for all citizens. With this, progressivism...

Words: 1618 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

The Progressive President of United States

...crisis, but, the national political leaders such as Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who intense to the social and political changes in America, have successfully raised a betterment for the United States, especially in the period of Progressive movement (1890-1920). Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson were the national political leader that regarded as the Progressive president since they introduced dramatic political reforms in the United States. They establish several legislations that considered made the condition of America during the progressive era become better; more organized government, the new banking system, more control over the big business and monopolies, development of modern presidency, were some example of the progressive actions during the presidency era of Roosevelt' and Wilson'. Particularly, T.R. elevated the importance of his presidency by understanding the importance of the press corps and promote his own image as well as to promote the press of the policies in his presidency (Bauer 8). Meanwhile, Wilson enacted the progressivism by reducing the prohibitive tariffs, creating a major transformation of the banking system, and generating new stronger of trust in order to re-establish fair economic competition in the United States (Bauer 9). It just some examples of the significant actions they had established, in the following, will be discussed the other progressive actions as well as the Roosevelt' and Wilson' presidency during the progressive era...

Words: 3856 - Pages: 16

Premium Essay

Eleanor Roosevelt Research Paper

...Eleanor Roosevelt, who's name at birth was actually Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born on October 11, 1884 in New York City, New York. She was born into a life of privilege even though she lost both of her parents by age 10. She went to live with her grandmother in the Hudson River Valley which is located slightly north of New York City where she was born. She also attended a boarding school in England. Her school teacher there was said to be a radical feminist, wanting to teach the girls at the school they had a place in society. She was teaching them to be leaders. Most believe that is why she stood for so many amazing things when she grew older. When Eleanor was 18 she met her fathers 5th cousin Franklin Roosevelt, a Harvard graduate, at a New Years reception. It was hosted at the White House by Eleanor’s uncle, President Theodore Roosevelt. They fell in love and were engaged almost immediately after they met. Despite his mothers attempts to break them up, Eleanor and Franklin were married in 1905. They had six children together over the next 10 years. When Franklin got polio in 1921 Eleanor began working in politics and charity. In 1933 when Franklin became president she saw the office of first lady as a way to expand on the work she had previously done....

Words: 554 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Accounting

...personality and intelligence. About the heart-hitting man, she says, “Imran Khan believes that real change is brought about by the idealist and not realist. He has been given various tags; from being a ladies man to a good samaritan, to being a killer on the cricket pitch. But he wears all these labels with ease and élan.” 00441698395067 dg11812 "Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." -- Mark Twain "Indiscriminate killing and looting could only serve the cause of the enemies of Pakistan. In the harshness, we lost the support of the silent majority of the people of East Pakistan." -- Hamood-ur-Rehman Commission Report on 1971 "Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to rank with those poor spirits who neither enjoy nor suffer much because they live in the grey twilight that knows neither victory nor defeat." -- Theodore Roosevelt "You have asked me to give you a message. What message can I give you? We have got the great message in the Quran for our guidance and enlightenment." -- Jinnah's message to Frontier MSF April 4, 1943 "Justice consists not in being neutral between right and wrong, but in finding out the right and upholding it, wherever found, against the wrong" -- Theodore Roosevelt "This above all, to thine own self be true." -- Shakespeare "Without courage, wisdom bears no fruit"...

Words: 6102 - Pages: 25

Premium Essay

Women During The Progressive Era

...The Progressive Era has impacted today's society socially and economically. It is true that some of the impacts are damaging, however, most have brought America to where it is today has a first world nation. Social reforms restructured how woman are seen in the eyes of society. Also through breaking bad trusts President Roosevelt helped make the American economy stable enough to last us through World War l. Before the Progressive Era, men saw woman as the less superior sex compared to themselves. During the Progressive Age, through protests and other such movements, woman won the right to vote with the ratification of the Constitution. Although winning the right to vote did not make woman entirely equal to males in all aspects of life,...

Words: 447 - Pages: 2

Free Essay

The Seventh Manmade Wonder of the World

...The Seventh Manmade Wonder of the World Ellis Karla D. History The Seventh Manmade Wonder of the World. The building of the Panama Canal was one of the most grandiose and dramatic American ventures of all times. A shipping gateway between Central and South America had been a desire from the 1600’s, first attempted by the French in the 1880s and later completed by United States in 1914, under the direction of Theodore Roosevelt. U.S. intervention with the Panama Canal brought an end of a revolution and the birth of a new nation, the Republic of Panama, and creation of one of biggest strategic advantages that truly brought the U.S. Navy into the next century as a growing superpower. The canal was the largest and most expensive project ever attempted up to that date in U.S. history and easily changed the face of the western hemisphere, if not the world. A quick, easy and safe passage for merchant ships and navies to pass between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans had been a desire of many since early 17th century. Study after study was conducted and focused on Panama, which was a part of Colombia; Nicaragua and the Isthmus of Tehuantepec in Mexico. Regardless of the desire or need, early plans were often abandoned because the undertaking was near impossible and government politics often made negotiations more difficult. The French were the first nation to attempt the project and were confident of success after building the Suez Canal in Egypt. In 1876,...

Words: 2097 - Pages: 9

Premium Essay

Theodore Roosevelt Research Paper

...Theodore Roosevelt’s interesting life often tempts biographers to write about him with the history left out. His story offers plenty of drama. Born in 1858 to a wealthy family in New York City he waged a life and death struggle against childhood asthma. Books about brave warriors and explorers comforted the boy when he was sick. His father, Theodore Senior, believed that nature and outdoor exercise could build boys’ bodies and characters, and he put pressure on his son to throw off his invalidism by embracing exercise. In his teens, young Theodore rose to his father’s challenge and strengthened his body by exercising and going hunting. He remained a forever-restless seeker after adventure and knowledge, a man who embraced many identities in...

Words: 1644 - Pages: 7

Free Essay

Class in America Post 1817

...been at best a double-edged sword for persecuted minorities, African Americans being no exception. In the First World War, for example, African American units were grouped into segregated units under white officers, the majority relegated to often demeaning non-combat support roles. Their mistreatment at the hands of white officers and civilians alike was in some places so bad that it led to armed insurrection, as in Houston, Texas in August 1917. Here, they seized weapons and killed 17 civilians, whereupon the military sentenced 30 black soldiers to death and 41 others to life imprisonment.[1] Those African American troops who served in France, however, were shocked at the relative warmth of their reception. “The French government awarded the Croix de Guerre to the all-black 369th U.S. Infantry regiment, and 171 officers and enlisted men were cited individually for exceptional bravery.”[2] While this surely enlivened their hope and zeal for equality at home, it was just as surely a bitter reminder of their lack of same. As World War II approached, increased need for labor in the defense industry, combined with the mechanization of cotton harvesting, led to a migration of African Americans to cities in the North. Here, they were freed from the more overt segregation and oppression of the South, and in many cases able to vote.[3] The increased demand for labor did not immediately end the African Americans' unequal treatment, rather,...

Words: 2384 - Pages: 10