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During his life Teddy Roosevelt was in the military, part of a group called the "Rough Raiders" in the Spanish-American War. In the war, Teddy Roosevelt's Rough Riders ended up defeating Spanish forces at San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill near the Spanish stronghold. Kettle Hill was taken first and San Juan Hill soon after. -
The first time Teddy Roosevelt became president was in 1901 after president William McKinley was assassinated. This was significant because it lead to many progressive ideas being carried out. He was the first president to think it was the governments responsibility for the welfare of the people. -
In 1902, coal mine workers in Pennsylvania went on strike to demand higher wages, shorter workdays, and the recognition of their union. The strike threatened to shut down the winter fuel supply to major American cities. Roosevelt promised that he would create a commission to study the causes of the strike and propose a solution. Wages increased 10 percent and work days were shorten to nine hours. -
The National Reclamation Act provided federal funds for the construction of dams, reservoirs, and canals in the West. This allowed for irrigation in the US states that had more dry land. It opened the way for money to be set aside from sales of the lands for the construction and maintenance of irrigation projects. -
The Elkins Act prohibited railroad companies from giving rebates to businesses that ship large quantities of goods and giving power to those businesses to artificially lower shipping prices. This act imposed new and significant costs on railroads. -
This case is what gave Teddy Roosevelt the name "trust buster." After Northern Securities Company violated the Sherman Act, an act that regulates companies that restrict trade. The Supreme Court ruled against the Northern Securities Company which caused them to dissolve completely. Roosevelt counted this as a victory. -
Teddy Roosevelt ran for president in the 1904 election as the republican nominee. He beat his opponent Alton B. Parker, becoming the first president that was not originally elected to the office but succeeded keeping the presidency. -
In 1889 the federal government had set aside 1,500 square miles of land for what would become Yosemite National Park In 1906 the state controlled park went under federal jurisdiction. It ended up being the first time the government protected land because of its natural beauty so that people could enjoy it. -
The Meat Inspection Act was sign by Teddy Roosevelt in 1906. It was a legislation that prohibited the sale of adulterated or mis-branded livestock. It had ensured that meat being sold would only be sold if products had been slaughtered and processed under sanitary conditions. -
In 1906 "The Jungle" was released and showed adulteration and unsanitary practices in meat production. This lead to a public outrage which caused Congress to take action. This act provided improved medical care for people sickened by unsafe food and required that food be inspected by the government to ensure its safety. -
Roosevelt left to visit Africa after Taft had officially became president. He wanted a new adventure so he went to Africa to hunt game and collect animals to display at the Smithsonian. -
Roosevelt decided to run for president again after he thought that Taft, the current president, wasn't progressive enough. In the election of 1912, instead of two people running there was three. The republican party was split because of this. In the end neither Taft nor Roosevelt won but instead Woodrow Wilson.