Teddy Roosevelt: America’s First “Modern” President

Lesson Objectives:  Students will be able to discuss some of Teddy Roosevelt’s life before the Presidency;  Students will understand the social and political problems that he faced while in office;  Students will be able to discuss several of his progressive reforms;  Students will be able to discuss Teddy Roosevelt’s achievements while in office  Students will be able to discuss some of Teddy Roosevelt’s life before the Presidency;  Students will understand the social and political problems that he faced while in office;  Students will be able to discuss several of his progressive reforms;  Students will be able to discuss Teddy Roosevelt’s achievements while in office Theodore Roosevelt

Roosevelt’s Early Political Career  Elected to NY State Assembly (2x)  Wife dies in child- birth days after mother passes away  Flees politics and moves to Dakota Territory to raise cattle, but returns when brutal winter of ‘86 wipes out herd Dakota Territory  Returns to New York and politics  Elected to NY State Assembly (2x)  Wife dies in child- birth days after mother passes away  Flees politics and moves to Dakota Territory to raise cattle, but returns when brutal winter of ‘86 wipes out herd Dakota Territory  Returns to New York and politics TR gained appreciation for the country’s natural resources while ranching in the Dakota Territories

1898- The US and Spain at War  Roosevelt organizes the “Rough Riders”, a motley crew of fighters in Cuba;  Wins national fame when he leads the Rough Riders into battle at San Juan Hill;Rough Riders  Returns to the US and is elected Governor of New York.  Roosevelt organizes the “Rough Riders”, a motley crew of fighters in Cuba;  Wins national fame when he leads the Rough Riders into battle at San Juan Hill;Rough Riders  Returns to the US and is elected Governor of New York. San Juan Hill Rough Riders

Teddy Roosevelt’s Impact on the Nation’s National Park System

During his Presidency, Roosevelt:  Added millions of acres to the National Park System;  Created several new National Parks throughout the western U.S.  Created new government offices and appointed officials for the management of our national parks.  Added millions of acres to the National Park System;  Created several new National Parks throughout the western U.S.  Created new government offices and appointed officials for the management of our national parks.

The Great White Fleet The Great White Fleet  For a show of military strength, Roosevelt built the “Great White Fleet”;  Ships were painted white to symbolize America as pure, powerful;  Cruised the oceans of the world and visited several continents;  Designed to show the U.S. as a military force to be reckoned with.  For a show of military strength, Roosevelt built the “Great White Fleet”;  Ships were painted white to symbolize America as pure, powerful;  Cruised the oceans of the world and visited several continents;  Designed to show the U.S. as a military force to be reckoned with.

Final Thoughts…  End of Roosevelt’s term of office;  Handpicked his successor, William H. Taft, but came to regret his decision;  Runs for office on Progressive ticket, fails in bid for re-election.  Taft is succeeded by Woodrow Wilson, who led the US into World War 1 against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire)  End of Roosevelt’s term of office;  Handpicked his successor, William H. Taft, but came to regret his decision;  Runs for office on Progressive ticket, fails in bid for re-election.  Taft is succeeded by Woodrow Wilson, who led the US into World War 1 against the Central Powers (Germany, Austria-Hungary, Ottoman Empire)