1. President Theodore Roosevelt and Modern America
A New Conservatism:
President Theodore Roosevelt and Modern America

2. President Theodore Roosevelt
Ascended to the Presidency upon the assassination of President William McKinley
Youngest man ever to serve as President (43 yrs old)

3. Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt
Sickly child
Drove himself in a rigorous activity schedule to combat his illnesses
Home schooled’ taught himself science, history, zoology, and literature
Married twice
First wife Ann died after childbirth
Second marriage to future First Lady Edith Roosevelt

4. Public Service New York City Police Commissioner
New York State Assemblyman
Colonel, United States Army
Governor of New York
Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Vice-President of the United States
President of the United States

5. “The Square Deal” Roosevelt’s Domestic Policy Three basic ideas:
Every person would be treated fairly and taken care of equitably under Roosevelt’s Administration
Foundation of his two-term Presidency
Three basic ideas:
Conservation of the natural environment
Regulation of corporations
Consumer protection

6. “Speak softly, and carry a big stick…”
Roosevelt’s foreign policy
Negotiate quietly, fairly, and pleasantly, but always make sure your opponent know that the threat of overwhelming force is a possibility
Roosevelt’s plan for dealing with other nations
Model for future Presidents
Often referred to as “Big Stick” Diplomacy

7. Big Stick Diplomacy
Roosevelt’s Big Stick Diplomacy

9. President Roosevelt Trust Busting
One of his earliest acts was to attack the giant trusts, or monopolies, that had been created by the Robber Barons
Broke up the monopolies of J.P. Morgan and John D. Rockefeller using the Sherman Anti-Trust Act of 1890, and the bully pulpit of the Presidency
Oversaw the governments regulation of the food and drug industries, including meat packing plants and sales of medicines

10. Roosevelt the Conservationist
Roosevelt was an avid hunter, hiker, outdoorsman, and adventurer
Conservation of the natural environment became one of President Roosevelt’s main goals
Created the National Parks System
Created wildlife sanctuaries
Promoted reclamation, or the process of making damaged land productive again
Theodore Roosevelt standing next to an elephant that he had killed in a hunt

11. The Panama Canal
Attempt to connect the Caribbean Sea with the Pacific Ocean
United States had interests in both waterways
Trip around South America took several weeks
The proposed canal would reduce the trip to hours.
Roosevelt is the driving force behind the Canal

12. The Panama Canal
The Panama Canal

13. The Canal The French had tried and failed in the 1880s
The Americans began negotiating with the Columbians for the lease of the six mile stretch of land where the canal was to be built
Columbia’s government would not seal the deal with the Americans
Pro-Canal rebels overthrew the government and created the country of Panama

14. American involvement Agreed to finance and assist the rebels
Prevented the Columbians from defeating the rebels
U.S.S. Nashville kept the Columbian Navy away
U.S. Marines blocked the Columbian Army
The United States government agreed to recognize the new nation of Panama two days after the rebellion
In return for their assistance, the United States received complete and unending sovereignty over the ten mile wide canal zone (Hay-Bunau-Varilla Treaty)

15. Building the Canal Began in 1904 Many troubles
Labor disputes
Yellow fever
Malaria
Improvement of working conditions improved efficiency of the project
Completed in 1914.

16. The Canal The Canal Today A ship traveling through the canal in 1914
Work being performed on the canal in 1908

17. Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
Monroe Doctrine established the United States’ obligation to protect interests in the Western Hemisphere
The Roosevelt Corollary warned European nations that interference in Latin and Central America would not be tolerated.
Many resources
Europeans looking for more colonies.