Theodore Roosevelt's Influence On Society

Theodore Roosevelt became the 26th President of the United States in September 1901, after the assassination of President William McKinley. Roosevelt became the youngest president in the nation's history. He was only 42 years old. Roosevelt's nickname was Teddy. His youth and enthusiasm changed the public image of the presidency. The presidential mansion officially became known as the White House when Roosevelt had the name emblazoned on his stationery. His first Annual Message to Congress was in December 1901. He stated his belief that government should mediate between conflicting forces in order to stabilize American society. This included capital and labor, isolationism and expansion and conservation and development. He felt that the President
was the center of American politics. He also thought that the President had the right to use any and all of his powers, unless they were specifically denied to him. Roosevelt believed that he had a responsibility to the people. He wanted to challenge current limited government and individualism. He felt that government should serve as an agent of reform for the people. Roosevelt developed his Square Deal program. He wanted to make society more fair for all of the people.
He believed in reform of the American workplace, government regulation of industry, and consumer protection. Roosevelt believed that the government had the right and the responsibility to regulate big business so that its actions did not negatively affect the general public. During his administration, Roosevelt initiated forty lawsuits against big trusts. He challenged large trusts that threatened to restrain trade. In 1902, government brought a successful lawsuit against the Northern Securities Company. Roosevelt was known as a "trust buster." He also intervened in a coal miners strike in Pennsylvania. Roosevelt negotiated for a pay increase for the miners. The Sooner Act of 1902 was drafted to gain the right to build a canal to create a shipping route through what is now Panama. It was then part of Columbia. Columbia refused to ratify the Sooner Act. A new Panamanian government was established in 1903. The act was then passed. Panama ceded from Columbia. The construction of the Panama Canal began. In 1903, the United States won a dispute with Great Britain over the boundary between lower Alaska and Canada. Roosevelt was able to keep the Germans from interfering with Venezuela in
1902. He declared that only the United States had the right to intervene in South American affairs. Roosevelt achieved the national Reclamation Act. He set aside almost 200 million acres for national forests, reserves, and wildlife refuges. Roosevelt wanted to bring the United States out of its isolationism. he believed that America should "speak softly and carry a big stick" in international affairs. he also felt that the President should be willing to force to back up diplomatic negotiations. Roosevelt followed his Big Stick Policy. He issued that the United States would bar foreign intervention in Latin America and act to guard the western hemisphere. This would ensure that countries paid their international debts. Theodore Roosevelt won the Presidential election in 1904. He was the first President to win reelection after having gained the Presidency due to the death of his predecessor. Roosevelt largely strengthened the United States Navy. He created the "Great White Fleet." He sent it on a world tour to represent the United States military power. He led the negotiations to end the Russo-Japanese War in 1904-1905. Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts with these negotiations. He was able to reach an agreement with Japan that traded diplomatic recognition in return for Japan's acceptance of the ongoing United States presence in the Phillipines. Several international crises arose between 1904 and 1906. Roosevelt kept the balance of European power intact. In 1904, he issued the Roosevelt Corollary. This was added to the Monroe Doctrine. He also developed the Hepburn Act of 1906 and the Pure Food and Drug Act of 1906. The Hepburn Act strengthened the Interstate Commerce Commission and prevented the railroad from charging big rates. The Pure Food and Drug Act established the Food and Drug Administration. Even after he was out of office, Roosevelt continued to work on his ideals. His successor was William Howard Taft. Roosevelt became upset with Taft's weak enforcement of progressive policies. He decided to make another run for presidency. He formed the Progressive Party, also known as the "Bull Moose Party." He campaigned for the 1912 election but lost to Woodrow Wilson. The Progressive Party's new nationalism in 1912 launched a drive for protective federal regulation that looked forward to the progressive movement of the 1930s and 1960s. Theodore Roosevelt was the first President whose election was based more on the individual than the political party. He used his popularity to win votes, shape issues, and mold opinions. Theodore Roosevelt changed the executive office forever.