In contrast to 1910, ask any American today if they would like our national forests to be…
To many, Theodore Roosevelt is just one of the 44 presidents staring blankly out of a U.S. History textbook page, but he, along with three other noteworthy presidents, is immortalized in stone on Mt. Rushmore for a reason. His remarkable life story began even before his presidency: he “rose like a rocket” in his political position through introducing modern technology and reforms to the police system, and gained glory as a volunteer in the Rough Riders during their victory at San Juan Hill in Cuba. On September 14, 1901, Roosevelt succeeded President William McKinley and became the youngest to ever become president. He was the first to perform an assortment of other feats, such as riding an airplane and submarine, winning the Nobel Peace Prize, and most importantly, becoming the first modern president. He referred to the White House as a “bully pulpit” (a position sufficiently conspicuous to provide an opportunity to speak out and be listened to), while regulating monopolies--from which he gained the title of “trust buster”--and enforcing a program of domestic reforms that he coined “the square deal.” His beliefs were based on the “stewardship theory of presidency,” which directs the president “to do anything that the needs of the Nation demanded unless such action was forbidden by the Constitution or by the laws.” Unlike his predecessors, Roosevelt did not remain in the comfort of the White House, but instead traveled to other countries for campaigns, becoming the first president to leave the United States. His destinations included Africa, where he sought artifacts for the Smithsonian, hunting, and writing inspiration; and Panama, where he undertook the construction of the Panama Canal--the “greatest achievement of [his] presidency.” However, after a narrow escape from an assassination attempt during his Bull Moose campaign, Roosevelt retreated to his home in Sagamore Hill, where he stayed for 34 years until his death in 1919, due to cardiovascular disease.…
Who was Theodore Roosevelt? Theodore Roosevelt was a man of great action. He rode in to war as a Rough Rider. He had a love for nature. He helped build the navy one of the most powerful military branches.…
Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th was a very fascinating figure. Most people now just think that he was a president but he was more than that.…
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.…
In my opinion the idea of making Providence Canyon a national park is unacceptable, allowing this tragic event to happen could cause many concerns not only to the southwest region, but to the citizens of America that visit the canyon.…
Theodore Roosevelt, a man known to be the youngest and first modern president of the United States of America. But many only know him for his presidency and not for his own life. The life of Theodore Roosevelt was more interesting than what he is known for.…
Theodore Roosevelt describes what the Western part of the United States is like in his book Ranch Life and the Hunting-Trail. He states that” the whole region is one vast stretch of grazing country, with only here and there spots of farmland, in most places there being nothing more like agriculture than is implied in the cutting of some tons of wild hay or the planting of a garden patch for home use” (Roosevelt, 1). Roosevelt describes the West as being one big vas area of land with hills and plenty of room for animals to graze, and people to come settle down. He also mentions how one can walk for awhile trying to find the perfect place to settle down that is suitable for winter and summer months but it is almost impossible to do so people…
One of the important questions that is simple but yet compelling is the question of who actually lived in The Adirondacks, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon before they became national parks in the United States? Karl Jacoby asks this question in the novel Crimes Against Nature: Squatters, Poachers, Thieves, and the Hidden History of American Conservation. Most people would focus on the positive efforts to protect nature in environmental tends but Jacoby examines the negative aspects of how nature was mistreated. In Crimes Against Nature, Jacoby argues that the history of the Conservation Movement has two sides. Jacoby seeks to challenge the traditional history of protection of the environment and nature. Jacoby describes that the narrative of conservation is more…
Many people who know history very well would openly say that Theodore Roosevelt was truly the first modern president and that he transformed the presidency. This was because he vigorously led congress and American public toward progressive reforms and a strong foreign policy. That is quite strange to hear since he was the 26th President of the United States. In 1904 the Roosevelt Corollary was added to the Monroe Doctrine and it said that the US will act as international police powers in the western hempishere. Some of the major ways that Teddy transformed his presidency was passing several acts and creating several concepts that truly helped the country prosper. Some of those ideas are the creation of the Panama Canal, The Meat Inspection Act and the US Forest Conservation.…
Teddy Roosevelt’s face deserves to be on Mount Rushmore for numerous reasons. For example, he made it his job to improve public health. After reading Upton Sinclair's “The Jungle” he was baffled and extremely disappointed. So he took matters into his own hands and fought for a more sanitary meat packaging industry. Roosevelt made sure that instead of having rats, rat poison and bread mixed into your meat there was 100% sanitation. Also, he created the Pure Food and Drugs Act. Additionally, this act made is so that foods and drugs were repeatedly inspected. With these two acts, he saved thousands of lives. In addition, he also loved the outdoors as a child because of his asthma. When he grew up he protected the environment as much as he possibly…
In the progressive era, presidents Theodore Roosevelt, William Taft, and Woodrow Wilson were often known as the “Progressive Presidents.” President Theodore Roosevelt, in 1908, very easily could’ve won the presidential election, but in 1904 he made a big promise not to run for a second term as president. He didn’t want to just give up control, so he chose the next president. He chose his successor, President Howard Taft to become the next president. He was a 350 pound Secretary of War and he was chosen in 1908 to become the Republican candidate. President Taft was a progressive president that the other past presidents would thought would be easy to control him.…
The National Park Service was created to protect both natural and cultural resources side by side. Exploring the park’s human past can tell us things about our role as park stewards now and in the future. The stories of Rocky Mountain National Park began with the earliest inhabitants and will continue for generations.…
It is difficult to find writers more passionate about the natural environment than John Muir and Edward Abbey. Both Muir in a section from his book A Thousand-Mile Walk to the Gulf and Abbey in a chapter titled Polemic: Industrial Tourism and the National Parks channel anger and frustration at the environmental policies of their time into literature that argues fervently for preservation of national parks and other areas of wilderness. In Hetch Hetchy Valley, Muir reverently describes in vivid detail the beautiful landscape of a river valley in Yosemite called the Hetch Hetchy Valley, condemning anyone who supports a government plan to dam the Hetch Hetchy River and flood the valley. In a famous quote Muir says, “no holier temple has ever been consecrated by the heart of man” (Muir 112). Abbey employs a highly sarcastic and satirical tone to outline the consequences of further expansion of roads and highways into national parks. He aims to incite anger with sharp language and insults to draw the reader in emotionally. “This is a courageous view, admirable in its simplicity and power… It is also quite insane” (Abbey 422). Both pieces easily stand alone, but when looked at together they suggest even more strongly that it is deceptive and dishonest to advertise industrialization of wilderness as any kind of favorable progress for society. This “progress” does not actually benefit anyone. Those who proclaim this as their reason for supporting industrial development are more likely motivated by the short-term economic benefits they will receive.…
Some, like John Muir, saw these effects and fought to protect the yet untouched wilderness,…