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Roosevelt led the Rough riders, a volunteer cavalry regiment, during the Spanish-American War. His charge up San Juan Hill made him a national hero and launched his political career. He later called this the "greatest day" of his life. -
Roosevelt became president after President William Mckinley was assassinated. At age 42, he became the youngest person to assume the presidency. His ride symbolized a shift toward progressive leadership and more active federal government -
A major strike by the United Mine Workers demanding higher wages and shorter hours. Roosevelt intervened an unprecedented move for a president by bringing both sides to the white house to negotiate. His involvement set a precedent for federal mediation in a labor disputes. -
Also known as the New lands Act, this law funded irrigation projects for arid Western states, making agriculture possible in dry areas. It was part of Roosevelt's conservation agenda and transformed the American West. -
This act targeted unfair practices by railroads, specifically outlawing rebates to favored shippers. Roosevelt supported it to regulate big business and promote fairness. It was a step in his broader campaign against corporate monopolies. -
Passed alongside the Meat Inspection Act, this law banned the sale of contaminated or mislabeled food and drugs. It led to the creation of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Roosevelt's support highlighted his concern for consumer safety. -
Roosevelt challenged the Northern Securities Company, a railroad monopoly, under the Sherman Antitrust Act. The supreme court ruled in a favor of the government, breaking up the trust. This was a landmark case in Roosevelt's trust busting efforts. -
After finishing Mckinley's term, Roosevelt won the 1904 election in his own right with a landslide. It gave him the mandate to pursue his progressive "Square Deal" policies, including trust busting, conservation, and consumer protection. -
Roosevelt visited Yosemite in 1903 with naturalists John Muir and later acted to bring the state-controlled Yosemite Valley back under federal management in 1906, strengthening national park protections. This was key to the early environmental movement. -
This law was passed in response to public outcry after Upton Sinclair's novel The Jungle exposed unsanitary practices in the meatpacking industry. Roosevelt pushed for federal inspection of meat to ensure it was processed under sanitary conditions. This marked a significant increase in government regulation for consumer protection. -
After leaving office, Roosevelt embarked on the Smithsonian Roosevelt African expedition to collect specimens for the Smithsonian Institution. This trip also served to remove himself from political life and let his successor, Taft, lead without Interference, although TR later returned to politics.
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Disappointed with Taft's presidency, Roosevelt formed the progressive party, and ran in 1912. Though he lost to Woodrow Wilson, he earned more votes than Taft, splitting the Republican vote. His campaign promoted progressive reforms like women's suffrage and labor rights.