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Theodore Roosevelt26th President of the United States (1901-1909).
Date of Birth: 27.10.1858
Country:  USA |
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Biography of Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt, a historian, politician, and the 26th President of the United States, was born in New York. He was the second of four children of glass merchant Theodore Roosevelt and Martha Bullock, and his family was well-off. Despite suffering from nearsightedness and asthma as a child, Roosevelt became involved in physical activities such as running and boxing. He studied with private tutors and successfully passed his final exams at the Harvard School Phi Beta Kappa in 1880. In October of the same year, he married Alice Hathaway Lee, a native of Massachusetts. The following year, he studied and traveled in Germany. Upon returning to the United States, Roosevelt was elected to the New York State Assembly as a Republican. However, after the birth of his daughter Alice Lee (later Longworth), his wife Alice passed away. Devastated, Roosevelt withdrew from politics and lived on a ranch for some time.
Return to Political Career and Governorship
Returning to political activity in 1886, Roosevelt ran for Mayor but was defeated. During this time, he married Edith Kermit Carow and settled on Long Island. The couple had five children. During these years, Roosevelt served as a U.S. Civil Service Commissioner (1889-1895) and as the Commissioner of the New York City Police Department (1889-1897). As Police Commissioner, Roosevelt tried to disrupt the neutrality between the municipality, the police, and the criminal world. To ensure that his orders were being carried out, Roosevelt would wear a black cap and walk through the slums at night, observing the patrolmen. This approach endeared him to cartoonists and earned him widespread popularity. After President William McKinley appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897, Roosevelt began preparing for a possible war with Spain. He requested $1.5 million from Congress for the Navy's armament and fuel. In February 1898, while serving as Acting Secretary, Roosevelt sent a secret telegram to Commodore George Dewey in Hong Kong, advising him to prepare for attacking the Spanish fleet in case of war. Thanks to this warning, Dewey was able to defeat the Spanish fleet two months later in the Battle of Manila Bay. In April 1898, Congress declared war against Spain, and Roosevelt, as a Lieutenant Colonel, organized a volunteer regiment, mostly composed of cowboys, which soon became known as the "Rough Riders." Roosevelt himself bravely fought near San Juan Hill and in the Battle of Las Guasimas.
Returning to the United States as a national hero, Roosevelt ran for Governor with the help of the "Rough Riders." After a close victory, he became Governor in January 1899. In his new position, Roosevelt persuaded lawmakers to create a housing commission and establish a civil service system. Local Republicans, concerned about Roosevelt's independence, sought to remove him from the state by nominating him for the powerless position of Vice President. In 1900, Roosevelt won the election alongside President McKinley. However, on September 14, 1901, McKinley was assassinated, and Roosevelt became President at the age of 41, making him the youngest President in U.S. history. "Just look at this damn cowboy - President of the United States," complained Republican leader Mark Hanna. Roosevelt brought a dynamic and decisive leadership style to the White House, which he used to promote his views. "I did not usurp power," he later said, "but I greatly expanded the scope of executive authority." Roosevelt created moral leadership, mobilizing public opinion that translated into political action. He transformed the federal government into a defender of public interests and an arbiter in the conflict between economic groups. He supervised and regulated trusts, and his pursuit of the Northern Securities Company (a railroad trust) was a popular move that he won. Roosevelt's government also acted as an arbitrator in labor-capital disputes, such as the 1902 coal strike.
In foreign policy, Roosevelt espoused the imperialist sentiments of the era. Believing that sea power was the foundation of America's position in the world, he actively strengthened the Navy. He supported the Panamanian Revolution against Colombia, resulting in the formation of an independent Panama and the acquisition of the canal zone by the United States for $40 million. As part of his Caribbean defense strategy, Roosevelt revised the doctrine formulated by President James Monroe in 1823, which warned European powers against interfering in the affairs of the Western Hemisphere. According to Roosevelt, the United States should not remain indifferent during economic and political crises in the region that could leave vulnerable American states open to European intervention. With the support of the business community and progressives, Roosevelt was elected President in 1904 with a majority of 2.5 million votes. He interpreted his victory as a mandate for reforms. During his second term, Roosevelt passed the Hepburn Act on railroads, the Meat Inspection Act, and several other laws. Despite opposition from Western industrialists, Roosevelt added 148,000 acres of land to national reserves, and the establishment of the National Conservation Commission marked the beginning of a systematic study of the country's natural resources.
In Asia, Roosevelt sought to maintain the balance of power. When Japan declared war on Russia in 1904, Roosevelt hoped that Japanese successes at sea would deter Russia from invading Manchuria. A decisive victory by either side would have threatened U.S. interests in the Pacific. In 1905, at Japan's request, Roosevelt invited the adversaries to hold peace negotiations in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. When the negotiations reached an impasse, Roosevelt appealed to the governments of both sides to reach a compromise. In September, the Portsmouth Peace Treaty brought an end to the Russo-Japanese War. While Roosevelt did not attend the conference as President of the United States, he later admitted, "It was only by virtue of the presidency that I was able to accomplish anything." For his role in the signing of the Portsmouth Treaty, Roosevelt was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906. Pacifists criticized the decision to award the prize to a professed militarist, but Roosevelt's supporters pointed out that by hastening the end of the war, the President saved thousands of lives. Due to his busy schedule, Roosevelt was unable to attend the award ceremony. However, he visited Oslo in 1910 as a private citizen and delivered his Nobel lecture on May 5th. "Peace is good in and of itself," Roosevelt told the two thousand attendees. "But it becomes the highest value when it serves justice... For example, a tyrant considers himself at peace when he suppresses protests." Roosevelt added, "It would be proper if the great powers formed a League of Peace and not only preserved peace themselves but also prevented its violation, even by force if necessary." The money received from the Nobel Committee was held until 1917 when Roosevelt instructed it to be given to agencies providing assistance to victims of World War I.
After leaving the White House in March 1909, Roosevelt spent some time in Africa, lectured at Oxford and the Sorbonne, and traveled throughout Europe. As the gap between conservatives and progressives widened during the administration of William Howard Taft, Roosevelt felt it was his duty to return to politics and ran for President in 1912 but was defeated. In his later years, Roosevelt frequently mocked President Woodrow Wilson for his caution and opposed U.S. entry into the League of Nations. At the age of 60, Roosevelt unexpectedly passed away in his sleep. Roosevelt left a lasting impact on American politics. As a political figure, he recognized the need for reforms early on, organized public opinion, and helped lawmakers make necessary decisions. As President, he extensively used the powers of his administration, making either strong or moderate decisions when needed. Aware of the dangers of capital concentration, Roosevelt supported laws that protected consumers and regulated businesses. He advocated for the reasonable use of natural resources, championing public interests.
In the field of international relations, Roosevelt broke with the traditions of American isolationism and initiated diplomatic contacts with nations in Asia, Europe, and the Caribbean. Historians often criticized his imperialism during the Spanish-American War, as well as his strong-handed tactics during the construction of the Panama Canal. However, it should not be forgotten that Roosevelt was the first American to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and his legislation marked the beginning of the Progressive Era in America. He infused the presidential system with a spirit of confidence, competition, and passion that was characteristic of his time.
