The main event, which made Theodore Roosevelt the president of the United States of America is the murder of President McKinley. No one expected such shock for the governmental body for that difficult period for the whole country. Roosevelt describes this event as the following: On three previous occasions the Vice-President had succeeded to the Presidency on the death of the President. In each case, there had been a reversal of party policy, and a nearly immediate and nearly complete change in the personnel of the higher offices, especially the Cabinet. I at once announced that I would continue unchanged McKinley’s policies for the honor and prosperity of the country, and I asked all the members of the Cabinet to stay. There were no changes made among them save as changes were made among their successors whom I myself appointed. (Roosevelt, 1913) This emphasizes that he was a courageous man, as he continued the politics which were the reason for the murder.
His service in the American army made him a disciplined man. Surely, such a high duty as presidency requires the strict following of the rules and powerful will. Being a warrior (During the Spanish-American War, Roosevelt was lieutenant colonel of the Rough Rider Regiment, which he led on a charge at the battle of San Juan. He was one of the most conspicuous heroes of the war) made him courageous, disciplined, and strong-willed.
His nature as a hunter and farmer helped him to become a successful president. Thus, he instinctively felt what America needed in order to become the dominant State of the world. Successful landowner and the master of life he managed to become the leader of the USA and head the team of Republicans and Progressive Party members. However, In spite of strong will and domineering, living in Badlands character he was the perfect diplomat, as he had to deal with other farmers, traders and sheriff.
The announcement of the policies and the proclamation of “The Big Stick” helped him to gain popularity among the progressive population, however, increased the dissatisfaction among those who did not support the course of his politics. Originally, “the big stick” was headed against those who killed McKinley, and, it is emphasized that this decision helped him to be listed as one of the most progressive presidents of the USA.
An assassination attempt is a universal tool for gaining popularity. That shot had broken his speech; however, it did not stop his heart. Sympathy towards him increased essentially, as the crowd was shocked:
He spoke for ninety minutes. His opening comments to the gathered crowd were, “Ladies and gentlemen, I don’t know whether you fully understand that I have just been shot, but it takes more than that to kill a Bull Moose” (Lessoff, 2005).
His presidency is regarded as the beginning of the modern presidential use of the power of the office because of the fact that he was the first who used the power of the office for achieving the aims and the goals of the whole nation but not separate classes of the population.
References
- Lessoff, Alan. “Roosevelt the Reformer: Theodore Roosevelt as Civil Service Commissioner, 1889-1895.” Presidential Studies Quarterly 35.1 (2005): 204
- Roosevelt, Theodore. Theodore Roosevelt, an Autobiography. New York: Macmillan, 1913.