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Roosevelt the Rough Rider at San Juan Hill
The "Rough Riders" was the name of the first U.S. Volunteer Cavalry. They served in the Spanish- American war fighting for the independence of Cuba. Roosevelt was one of the leaders of the Rough Riders and led them in The Battle of San Juan Heights. He led them in several charges up Kettle Hill encouraging his men the whole time. The battle ended with the American flag raised on San Juan Hill. This battle was an important step in their fight for Cuba's independence in the Spanish- American war. -
Roosevelt First Named President
Roosevelt became the 26th president of the U.S and became the youngest president of the U.S at that point. He became president in an unfortunate way as President McKinley was assassinated leaving Roosevelt, who was vice president at that time, to become President. His Presidency was significant as he brought about progressive ideals and an expansion to the powers of a president. It was also significant as it showed he was more than just a vice president and could be a successful President. -
National Reclamation Act
This act was signed into law by Theodore Roosevelt in 1902. This act gave the federal government power to control water diversion. The signing of it showed how Roosevelt believed in the importance of water and land. This act helped to irrigate the land of the U.S. and helped people, such as farmers, have access to irrigation. This act also established that the federal government would manage the water resources of the West United States. -
Coal Strike
The coal strike happened when coal miners went on strike and the mine operators refused to meet their demands. Roosevelt became involved when coal reserves were running low and he ordered the opposing sides to meet at the white house. They made a compromise with a 10% pay raise and a nine hour workday. This compromise was important because Roosevelt demonstrated the progressive belief that things could be resolved peacefully. It also formed a principle that presidents would resolve strikes. -
Elkins Act Passed
The Elkins Act made it illegal for railroad workers to give discounts to shippers for using certain railroads. The act also ensured that railroads would not change the set rates for their railroad without first notifying the public. The act was made because the Interstate Commerce Commision had very little power in enforcing the laws and it needed help to ensure these things were enforced. -
Roosevelt and the Northern Securities Case
The Sherman Antitrust Act was made to prevent monopolies but it was hard to enforce. Therefore, a lot of suits filed with this act were ineffective. Roosevelt believed that trusts that hurt the public should be dissolved. He sought to dissolve the Northern Securities Company because of this. In 1904, the Supreme Court dissolved the Northern Securities Company because of the monopoly they had over railroads. This showed a great victory for Roosevelt and gave him the name "trust buster". -
Roosevelt Wins First Full Term As President
Theodore Roosevelt defeat the democrat Alton B. Parker in the 1904 election. Roosevelt showed his priorities in the expansion of the national park system and the strengthening of the American influence abroad. Roosevelt was shown with a clear popularity advantage in this election. He then won the electoral votes with a landslide 336 electoral votes compared to Parker's 140. -
Pure Food and Drug Act Passed
Dr. Harvey Wiley expressed that manufacturers had been adding harmful products to food. This was true as harmful things such as opium and cocaine were often in children's medicine. Manufacturers had also been making false statements that their products could do things like cure cancer. The Pure Food and Drug Act was passed by Roosevelt and it would stop the sale of contaminated products as well as require truthful labeling. -
Yosemite Under Federal Control
Roosevelt had a deep caring for nature and he soon saw the beauty of Yosemite park when he spent three nights camping there. He visited it in 1903 with Muir showing him around. They stayed in Mariposa Grove for a night and spent another night near Bridalveil Falls. Roosevelt wanted to get federal protection for such a beautiful park and accomplished this in 1906. He was also inspired from this experience to sign into existence 5 national parks, giving them the protection they deserved. -
Meat Inspection Act
The Meat Inspection Act prohibited the sale of misbranded foods and ensured the conditions were sanitary in the meat-packing industry. The act was important to reforming the meat-packing industry to make sure livestock among other things was inspected properly. Roosevelt forming this act was inspired by a novel called 'The Jungle' where it was described the unsanitary conditions that happened in packinghouses. -
Leaves Presidency and visits Africa
In 1908, Roosevelt had decided that he wanted to have his successor William Taft take his place on the political stage. Wanting to still be taking actions, Roosevelt went to Africa on a safari to hunt and collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. On the expedition 1,100 specimens were collected and over 500 game were killed. -
Roosevelt Runs For President in Bull Moose Party
Republican progressives did not want to vote for Taft and instead wanted to vote for Roosevelt again. They formed a Progressive Party also known as the Bull Moose Party because they saw Roosevelt as a strong Bull Moose. This split was a rather bad decision for the republicans as their vote was split between Roosevelt and Taft. This split gave Wilson of the democrat party a way to win. Therefore, it was shown how the formation of a third party negatively affects the opposing side.