Teddy Roosevelt: An American Hero
Trey Draper
Dr. Rager
History 136
10-21-2011
Theodore Roosevelt: American Hero Although many people at the time disagreed with the actions of Teddy Roosevelt, he played a very important role in the Spanish-American war by not only preparing the navy, but on the front lines of combat as well. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States of America, had a huge impact on the Spanish-American war in many ways. The war also had a huge impact on Theodore Roosevelt’s political career in many ways, and some would say helped him become president. Theodore Roosevelt's actions as assistant secretary of the navy were vital to the quick success of the American Navy in the Spanish-America war; he basically single-handedly prepared the navy for war. Theodore urged President McKinley to war, he felt as though it was America's duty to stand up for Cuba. And once the Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Teddy went war crazy. After he had finished preparing the navy for what seemed to an inevitable war, Theodore Roosevelt resigned as the assistant secretary to the navy to go fight on the front lines. He was 2nd in command of a legendary regiment nicknamed "The Rough Riders." The regiment was a part of many battles including the battle of San Juan Hill, having a huge impact on the front lines. Theodore Roosevelt could not have had such a huge impact on the war if it were not for his position as assistant secretary of the navy. He was offered the position by President McKinley in 1897, and accepted the job due to his inactivity in New York and his lifelong fascination of naval history. Roosevelt strongly believed that the US needed to upkeep a strong modern navy in order to protect its interests in the growing world. Due to the inactivity of the acting secretary of the navy, John D. Long, Theodore Roosevelt basically had control over the navy. Teddy spent many months before the war with Spain broke out preparing the navy. He ran drills, ordered
Dr. Rager
History 136
10-21-2011
Theodore Roosevelt: American Hero Although many people at the time disagreed with the actions of Teddy Roosevelt, he played a very important role in the Spanish-American war by not only preparing the navy, but on the front lines of combat as well. Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States of America, had a huge impact on the Spanish-American war in many ways. The war also had a huge impact on Theodore Roosevelt’s political career in many ways, and some would say helped him become president. Theodore Roosevelt's actions as assistant secretary of the navy were vital to the quick success of the American Navy in the Spanish-America war; he basically single-handedly prepared the navy for war. Theodore urged President McKinley to war, he felt as though it was America's duty to stand up for Cuba. And once the Maine exploded in Havana Harbor, Teddy went war crazy. After he had finished preparing the navy for what seemed to an inevitable war, Theodore Roosevelt resigned as the assistant secretary to the navy to go fight on the front lines. He was 2nd in command of a legendary regiment nicknamed "The Rough Riders." The regiment was a part of many battles including the battle of San Juan Hill, having a huge impact on the front lines. Theodore Roosevelt could not have had such a huge impact on the war if it were not for his position as assistant secretary of the navy. He was offered the position by President McKinley in 1897, and accepted the job due to his inactivity in New York and his lifelong fascination of naval history. Roosevelt strongly believed that the US needed to upkeep a strong modern navy in order to protect its interests in the growing world. Due to the inactivity of the acting secretary of the navy, John D. Long, Theodore Roosevelt basically had control over the navy. Teddy spent many months before the war with Spain broke out preparing the navy. He ran drills, ordered