Theodore Roosevelt (Isolationist America)

Theodore Roosevelt, Jr. (October 27, 1858 - September 4, 1944) was an American statesman, politician, author, historian, explorer, soldier, and naturalist who served as the 26th President of the United States from 1901 to 1909 and as the 28th President of the United States from 1913 to 1921, becoming the second president in American history to serve non-consecutive terms and the first to serve more than two terms. As the leader of the Progressive movement, Roosevelt championed his "Square Deal" domestic program, promising equality and benefits to the average citizen. He later went on to win the 1912 presidential election on the Progressive Party ticket, becoming the first president in American history to win a presidential election on a third-party ticket. During Roosevelt's second presidency, he furthered his progressive agenda and led the nation through World War I, sending American soldiers to Europe and soundly defeating Germany and its allies.

Roosevelt was born in New York City in 1858 to a wealthy family. He was born a sickly child with debilitating asthma and other physical ailments, but he overcame his health problems by embracing a strenuous and active lifestyle. Roosevelt attended Harvard College, where he wrote The Naval War of 1812, establishing his reputation as a learned historian and a popular author. He was elected to the New York State Assembly in 1882, where he became the leader of the Reform Republicans in New York state. Following the near-simultaneous deaths of his wife and mother, he escaped to a cattle ranch in the Dakota Territory. Roosevelt went on to serve as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in the administration of President William McKinley, but resigned from the position to lead the Rough Riders in the Spanish-American War. He returned as a war hero, and was elected Governor of New York in 1898. After the death of Vice President Garret Hobart, the New York state Republican leadership convinced McKinley to choose Roosevelt as his running mate in the 1900 presidential election.

Following the assassination of William McKinley in 1901, Roosevelt became the President of the United States. At age 42, he was the youngest president in American history at the time. As the leader of the Progressive movement, he championed his "Square Deal" domestic program, promising the average citizen fairness, equality, and security. He established many national parks, forests, and monuments intended to preserve the nation's wilderness. He directed the construction of the Panama Canal, which connected the Atlantic to the Pacific and cut months off a trip from the east coast to the west coast of the United States. He expanded the U.S. Navy, and sent the Great White Fleet on a trip across the world to show the world the power of the United States. Roosevelt successfully groomed his close friend, William Howard Taft, who won the 1908 presidential election.

Frustrated with the conservatism of Taft, Roosevelt became a primary challenger to Taft in the 1912 presidential election. He lost the primaries, walked out of the convention, and formed the Progressive Party, calling for wide-reaching progressive reforms. Although a narrow victory, Roosevelt managed to win the 1912 election, becoming the second president in American history to serve non-consecutive terms and the first to serve more than two terms in office. During his second presidency, he enacted many far-reaching progressive reforms, led the United States through World War I, and gained the support of many on both sides of the aisle.