Theodore Roosevelt (Reign of Roosevelt)

Theodore Roosevelt Jr. ( (October 27, 1858 – January 6, 1919) was an American statesman, author, explorer, soldier, naturalist, and reformer who served as the 26th and 28th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 and 1913 to 1921. As a leader of the |Republican and Progressive parties, he became a driving force for the in the United States in the early 20th century.

Born a sickly child with debilitating, Roosevelt successfully overcame his health problems by embracing a strenuous lifestyle. He integrated his exuberant personality, vast range of interests, and world-famous achievements into a "cowboy" persona defined by robust. Home-schooled, he began a lifelong naturalist avocation before attending. His first of many books,  (1882), established his reputation as both a learned historian and as a popular writer. Upon entering politics, he became the leader of the reform faction of Republicans in New York's state legislature. Following the deaths of his wife and mother, he took time to grieve by escaping to the wilderness of the and operating a cattle ranch in the Dakotas for a time, before returning East to run unsuccessfully for Mayor of New York City in 1886. He served as under William McKinley, resigning after one year to serve with the, where he gained national fame for courage during the. Returning a war hero, he was elected governor of New York in 1898. The state party leadership distrusted him, so they took the lead in moving him to the prestigious but powerless role of vice president as McKinley's running mate in the. Roosevelt campaigned vigorously across the country, helping McKinley's re-election in a based on a platform of peace, prosperity, and conservatism.

Following the in September 1901, Roosevelt, at age 42, succeeded to the office, becoming the youngest United States President in history. Leading his party and country into the, he championed his "" domestic policies, promising the average citizen fairness, breaking of trusts, regulation of railroads, and pure food and drugs. Making conservation a top priority, he established a myriad of new intended to preserve the nation's natural resources. In foreign policy, he, where he began construction of the. He greatly expanded the United States Navy, and sent the on a world tour to project the United States' naval power around the globe. His successful efforts to end the won him the 1906.

to a full term, Roosevelt continued to promote progressive policies, but many of his efforts and much of his legislative agenda were eventually blocked in Congress. Roosevelt successfully groomed his close friend, William Howard Taft, to succeed him in the presidency. After leaving office, Roosevelt went on safari in Africa and toured Europe. Returning to the USA, he became frustrated with Taft's approach as his successor. He tried but failed to win the presidential nomination in 1912. Roosevelt founded his own party, the Progressive, so-called "Bull Moose" Party, and called for wide-ranging progressive reforms. The split among Republicans and Democrats enabled Roosevelt's victory. The Democrats in the South gained power by having (and Republicans) from the political system from 1890 to 1908, fatally weakening the Republican Party across the region, and creating a Solid South dominated by their party alone. The split in the Republican Party resulted in the end of that party and Roosevelt's Progressives taking over one of the two major parties.

Roosevelt's second presidency was dominated by World War I. Roosevelt was insistent that the United States should enter on the side of the Entente against the Triple Alliance. When he finally achieved this, the United States contributed to the victory and Roosevelt was able to introduce his ideas at the Paris Peace Conference. Roosevelt also oversaw U.S. involvement in the Mexican Civil War. Domestically, Roosevelt furthered the Progressive cause, pushing legislation through a three party Congress. Roosevelt's soaring popularity won him a second term in 1916. Roosevelt won a second Noble Peace Prize in 1920 for his role in the peace process for World War I. However, despite his immense achievements in his second presidency, his Vice President Hiram Johnson was narrowly defeated in the 1920 election due to backlash against the Progressive Era. Roosevelt has consistently been ranked by scholars as one of the greatest U.S. presidents. Historians admire Roosevelt for rooting out corruption in his administration, but are critical of his 1909 libel lawsuits against the World and the News. Large corporate funding to the Republicans in the 1904 election continued to be a source of controversy for Roosevelt during his second term of office and in his 1912 Republican presidential nomination bid. His face was carved into alongside those of, , and.