Contradictions, Controversies, and Change

In 1900, America was seen as a beacon of hope for the rest of the world. Immigrants were pouring into our cities, and there was a list of groundbreaking innovations that proudly displayed the label “made in the U.S.A.” We were defined by the opportunities and possibilities that lay ahead. There was a sense of certainty that everything would turn out well, leaving little room for doubt or alternative possibilities.

                                                                          President Theodore Roosevelt expressed his unwavering confidence in the future, stating, “I always believe in going hard at everything.”

Theodore Roosevelt -A Life Forged in Tragedy and Tenacity

A personal loss marked Roosevelt’s life as a young married man. On February 14, 1884, he faced a devastating double blow: the deaths of his beloved wife, Alice, and his mother  Mittie (Martha Bulloch Roosevelt) on the same day and in the same house. In his diary, he marked the page with a large X and wrote, “The light has gone out of my life.”

To escape the grief, Roosevelt retreated to the Badlands of the Dakota Territory. There, he immersed himself in the harshness of ranch life, herding cattle, hunting game, and sleeping under the stars, and, as mentioned, writing about his experiences. The time toughened him physically and emotionally, instilling a resilience that would later define his political career. He once said, “I have always been fond of the West, and I have always believed that the West was the home of the vigorous man.”

During this period of self-imposed exile, Roosevelt’s opinions evolved and sharpened. He developed a heightened sense of independence, a profound love for the frontier, and, most importantly, an unwavering passion for his country. It was also a time of introspection, as he dealt with his grief and prepared for the public life that awaited him.

Determined and Confident

In the late 1880s, America began to hear from Theodore Roosevelt as a writer. Here’s a brief list of his more than 40 books: 1885, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman; 1888, Ranch Life and the Hunting Trail; 1889, The Winning of the West; and more. Roosevelt’s non-fiction narratives painted a romantic picture of the wild West, thanks to his time spent hunting and living on ranches and farms. His stories helped shape the cowboy as an enduring American symbol of masculinity, adventure, and strength.

Remarkably, he had battled severe asthma and other health issues as a child, often leaving him physically weak and bedridden. Determined to overcome these limitations, he adopted a rigorous physical regimen and an outdoor lifestyle, a philosophy he later referred to as the “strenuous life.” This ethos not only defined his personal journey but also propelled him into one of the most iconic episodes of his life: his leadership of the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War.

Rough Riders

In 1898, Roosevelt famously led the charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba, a daring and pivotal battle that earned him national acclaim. However, this victory was controversial because other regiments had fought valiantly as well and, at the time, were generally ignored.  Roosevelt felt that he should be awarded the Medal of Honor, bluntly stating, “I am entitled to the Medal of Honor and I want it.” Combining his need to be in the spotlight, some researchers suggest that Theodore Roosevelt may have exhibited a “grandiose narcissism.”  Nonetheless, he was denied his request.

Picture Controversy

The iconic photograph (above) by William Dinwiddie (New York Herald)  intentionally cropped out the famous black regiment, the Buffalo Soldiers. The picture was actually taken three days after the battle, and the hill was secure.  A century later, Congress posthumously awarded Roosevelt the Medal of Honor.

The image became a media sensation and played a pivotal role in launching Roosevelt’s political career. Upon entering the national political stage, the American public was soon drawn to him.  They liked his boundless energy, booming voice, and unwavering confidence, which embodied the qualities that the nation wanted.  He was, however, a man of contradictions—joyful yet saddened by loss, bright yet rugged, driven yet thoughtful. During his Presidency, he took bold and controversial action and brought about sweeping changes.   

Theodore Roosevelt -A Natural Speaker and Storyteller

Roosevelt was an exceptional speaker who possessed a remarkable talent for storytelling. He easily related to people from all backgrounds, and could give a passionate speech from the rear platform of a train during his “whistle stop” campaigning or engage in a lively conversation at a swanky dinner party.

He was a master of using the media; he developed relationships with journalists and leveraged newspapers to shape public opinion. As historian Doris Kearns Goodwin aptly observed, “He made the presidency a daily news center.”

His primary strength lay in his ability to inspire and convince. He championed progressive causes such as dismantling monopolies, safeguarding workers’ rights, and ensuring consumer safety. These were unpopular attacks on the corporate status quo, but Roosevelt believed that Corporate America needed to evolve. Workers deserved protection—better pay, safer work conditions, and the American consumer needed assurance that foods processed in our nation’s factories were safe.

Racism and Imperialism – the Building of The Panama Canal 

Roosevelt’s most daring move was building the Panama Canal. People had been discussing a canal connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans for ages, but politics and logistics had made it seem impossible. Years earlier, the French had failed miserably in their attempt to build the canal. When talks with Colombia stalled, Roosevelt militarily backed a Panamanian independence movement, which cleared the way for a new treaty. However, this consequential move raised serious ethical concerns.

Supporting Panama’s independence involved interfering in another country’s sovereignty and was criticized as an imperialistic move driven more by American interests than those of the Panamanian people. The canal’s construction was a massive engineering challenge that involved tens of thousands of workers, many of whom faced harsh and dangerous conditions, including exposure to tropical diseases, deadly insects and snakes, not to mention the rugged terrain. Later, it was uncovered by the press that many of the workers, those who were people of color, were treated very differently from their white counterparts. They received lower wages, were subjected to inhumane living conditions, and faced rampant racial discrimination.

The construction of the Panama Canal revolutionized global trade by establishing a shorter shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly expediting the movement of goods worldwide. This project exemplified Roosevelt’s belief that bold actions, disregarding established rules and human rights, could lead to positive outcomes for all humanity.
Roosevelt said,  “I took the Isthmus, started the Canal, and then left Congress not to debate the canal, but to debate me.”  

Despite numerous conflicts and moral dilemmas, America emerged as a recognized world power. It is estimated by historians that between the French and American efforts to build the Canal roughly 25,000 people lost their lives from disease or accident.

Empire and Ethics: The Philippine Question – 1898 to 1946.

Roosevelt’s foreign policy was a delicate balance between idealism and imperialism. Following the Spanish-American War, the United States acquired the Philippines, sparking a contentious debate regarding its role as a colonial power. This acquisition also led to a conflict between the U.S. and the Philippines.

Roosevelt portrayed American involvement as a noble, civilizing mission, asserting that Filipinos necessitated guidance before they could govern themselves. He emphasized “uplift” and “benevolent assimilation,” portraying the U.S. as a benevolent paternal figure. President William McKinley believed the Philippines needed to be “Christianized,” a belief that was supported by his Vice President, Theodore Roosevelt. However, this rhetoric concealed the harsh realities of military occupation.

Assassination of President William McKinley

On September 14, 1901, William McKinley was assassinated, and Vice President Theodore Roosevelt accepted the Presidency. The conflict in the Philippines continued, characterized by fierce guerrilla resistance and brutal counterinsurgency tactics, posing a significant challenge to the moral legitimacy of America’s ambitions. Reports of torture, including the notorious use of the “water cure,” coupled with substantial civilian casualties, gradually eroded the idealism of Roosevelt’s civilizing mission.

Critics, including Mark Twain, former President Grover Cleveland, and other members of the Anti-Imperialist League, vehemently condemned the occupation as a betrayal of American values. Industrialist Andrew Carnegie offered to buy the Philippines from the U.S. government so he could grant the islands their independence.

Modernizing the Military

Roosevelt was enthusiastic about making America strong, and that included the military. When he was Assistant Secretary of the Navy, he modernized the fleet, replacing many wooden vessels with steel. He also introduced electricity in ships, efficient turbine engines, and wireless radio.  As President, Roosevelt took the Great White Fleet on a global tour, showing off America’s naval power.  This included a group of 16 battleships that navigated the globe from 1907 to 1909. It was a diplomatic move and a warning to other countries that the U.S. was ready to defend itself.

Roosevelt also made changes to the Army, focusing on providing the best training and advancement opportunities based on individual skills. He believed that a strong military wasn’t just about protecting our country. He also felt that it was about spreading American values globally.

Conservation: A Legacy of Stewardship

Theodore Roosevelt believed that America’s natural resources constituted a public treasure, rightfully belonging to all citizens for their enjoyment. Under his leadership, the United States embarked on a conservation journey. He established five national parks, 18 national monuments, and 150 national forests. Moreover, he spearheaded the establishment of the United States Forest Service.  Additionally, he signed the Antiquities Act, which vested presidents with the authority to safeguard significant natural landmarks and landscapes.

                             He famously remarked, “A nation is truly thriving when it regards its natural resources as an inheritance for future generations, rather than as a resource that deteriorates over time.”

Progressive Reformer

Roosevelt’s domestic agenda was rooted in the belief that government should serve the public good. This belief was that the government was meant to act as a “steward of the people.” He took on powerful corporations, breaking up monopolies and enforcing antitrust laws. His actions earned him the nickname “Trust Buster.”

He also intervened in labor disputes, most notably the Coal Strike of 1902, where he sided with workers to ensure fair wages and working conditions. Roosevelt’s approach was pragmatic—he sought balance between capital and labor, aiming to prevent social unrest.

His administration passed the Pure Food and Drug Act and the Meat Inspection Act, responding to public outcry over unsafe products. These laws marked a turning point in consumer protection and demonstrated Roosevelt’s responsiveness to public concerns.

A Complex Legacy

Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency was a mixture of triumph and controversy. He expanded the executive branch’s power, challenged entrenched interests, and redefined America’s global role.  His actions, however, raised questions over the limits of Presidential power and the moral justification for military intervention, such as in the Philippines, as well as the Panama Canal. Roosevelt’s Nobel Peace Prize for mediating the Russo-Japanese War was a testament to his diplomatic prowess. Yet, his foreign policy sometimes veered into aggression. His conservation efforts were visionary, while his imperial ventures sparked debates.

Although  Theodore Roosevelt was a man of action, he did not always have a consensus of support. Upon leaving office in 1909, Roosevelt had reshaped the presidency and the nation. His vision of leadership—bold, engaged, and morally driven—continues to influence American politics. He demonstrated that the president could be a catalyst for change, a steward of the land, and a voice for justice. His legacy lives on in the parks he protected, the policies he enacted, and the spirit of determination he embodied.

Theodore Roosevelt revolutionized global trade by establishing a shorter shipping route between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, significantly expediting the movement of goods worldwide. This project exemplified Roosevelt’s belief that bold actions, disregarding established rules and human rights, could lead to positive outcomes for all humanity.

About the Author

Allen Cornwell

Administrator

Allen Cornwell is a retired business owner and an adjunct professor of American History at a small college. He lives in rural Virginia and enjoys history, sports, old movies and visiting all types of museums. Cornwell has had a number of American history articles published and he earned his graduate degree in American History from Virginia Commonwealth University. He can be contacted at: allencornwell@mac.com

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