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Theodore Roosevelt Jr. was an American statesman author explorer soldier naturalist and reformer who served as the 26th president of the United States from 1901 to 1909. As a leader of the Republican Party during this time he became a driving force for the Progressive Era in the United States in the early 20th century. Born a sickly child with debilitating asthma 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 masculinity. Home-schooled he began a lifelong naturalist avocation before attending Harvard College. His first of many books The Naval War of 1812 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 Yorks state legislature. Following the deaths of his wife and mother he took time to grieve by escaping to the wilderness of the American West 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 Assistant Secretary of the Navy under William McKinley resigning after one year to serve with the Rough Riders where he gained national fame for courage during the SpanishAmerican War. 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 presidential candidate as McKinleys running mate in the election of 1900. Roosevelt campaigned vigorously across the country helping McKinleys re-election in a landslide victory based on a platform of peace prosperity and conservatism. Following the assassination of President McKinley in September 1901 Roosevelt succeeded to the office at age 42 becoming the youngest American president in history. Leading his party and country into the Progressive Era he championed his Square Deal 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 national parks forests and monuments intended to preserve the nations natural resources. In foreign policy he focused on central America where he began construction of the Panama Canal. He greatly expanded the United States Navy and sent the Great White Fleet on a world tour to project the United States naval power around the globe. His successful efforts to end the Russo-Japanese War won him the 1906 Nobel Peace Prize. Elected in 1904 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 United States he became frustrated with Tafts approach. Failing to win the Republican 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 enabled the Democrats to win both the White House and a majority in the Congress in 1912. Republicans aligned with Taft nationally would control the Republican Party for decades. Frustrated at home Roosevelt led a two-year expedition to the Amazon basin nearly dying of tropical disease. During World War I he opposed President Woodrow Wilson for keeping the country out of the war and offered his military services which were never accepted. Although planning to run again for president in 1920 Roosevelt suffered deteriorating health and died in early 1919. Roosevelt has consistently been ranked by scholars as one of the greatest American 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. His face was carved into Mount Rushmore alongside those of George Washington Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln. Credits: ,

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