Teddy Roosevelt: A Great Leader Of President Theodore Roosevelt

Throughout history, the White House has been home to many fine and influential men that have helped to shape our nation. However, only one of these leaders is given credit for bringing modern ideas to the White House. His ideas changed how the powers of the government could be used for the benefit of our nation. President Theodore, Teddy, Roosevelt became a great leader through the influences of his background, contributions to his country, and the pros and cons of his presidency.

To begin, Roosevelt’s background shaped him into the man he would soon become, above all, the twenty-sixth president of the United States. Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 in New York City. Coming from a Dutch heritage, his ancestors migrated to Manhattan in

Using the powers of his strong personality coupled with his aggressive executive actions, he believed there was no limit to the power he was permitted. Having the name as “president” allowed Roosevelt to have a unique relationship along with holding responsibility for the people of the United States. “He took the reins of the presidency without much more of a plan than to emulate Abraham Lincoln’s wisdom and his ability to unite the nation” (Theodore Roosevelt: The Making of a Progressive Reformer). That said, he ran through the people, hearing their voices and envisioning a world through their eyes. As a result, of the increasing number of immigrants coming to the United States, he felt the responsibility to ensure social justice and economic opportunity for the people. During his time in office, Roosevelt made a golden name for himself, one of historical accomplishments, due to his strong beliefs. “One of Roosevelt’s central beliefs was that the government had the right to regulate big business to protect the welfare of society” (American President: A Reference Resource). With this belief, Roosevelt addressed the issue when the Department of Justice filed a suit against the Northern Securities Company in early 1902. At this time, there was uproar in the business community. The Northern Securities Company was a huge railroad operation run by wealthy industrialists and

Looking at Roosevelt first as a person, not a president, he had a warm inviting glow that radiated into the hearts of others. “Teddy didn’t care about a man’s color, but about what that man could do” (U.S. Presidents – Theodore Roosevelt). Roosevelt was the first president in history to invite a black man to dine with him at the White House. Then, in 1903, he invited five black couples to dine with him again. At this time in history, the only time black women entered the White House was if they were a servant. Roosevelt was a firm believer that the color of a person’s skin did not define them as a person. Roosevelt lived his life trying to make the United States a home for everybody and not one defined by the color of your skin. “Though definitely not anti-business, Roosevelt had a sense of what was right, and when he saw companies violate that sense, he pounced” (U.S. Presidents – Theodore Roosevelt). A clear example is the Northern Securities Company, discussed earlier. Roosevelt earned the reputation as the trustbuster for the American people. For example, when companies threatened the consumers or the environment, he took immediate action to correct the issue at hand. Next, even though he was not a strong supporter of unions, Roosevelt fought for the employees when companies crossed the line of unfair treatment. Disapproving the International Workers of