By the early 20th century, industrialization and westward expansion had taken a toll on America’s natural landscapes. Forests were being destroyed, wildlife populations were declining, and vast areas of land were being overused. Theodore Roosevelt, a passionate outdoorsman, believed that protecting the environment was vital for the nation’s future. As president, he led efforts to conserve natural resources and preserve wilderness areas for public use.
Important Legislation
IMPACT
Roosevelt’s conservation efforts laid the
foundation for modern environmentalism.
His work ensured that America’s natural
beauty and resources would not be
depleted, and he inspired future presidents
to continue the fight for conservation.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, powerful monopolies dominated industries and politics. Roosevelt, known as the "Trust-Buster," sought to control their unchecked power to protect the public.
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) wasn’t strongly enforced until Roosevelt, who believed only harmful trusts should be broken up. His administration sued major corporations, including the Northern Securities railroad monopoly, which the Supreme Court dissolved in 1904—strengthening federal power to regulate big business.
Impact
Roosevelt’s trust-busting efforts were not
about destroying all big businesses but
ensuring that they operated fairly and served
the public good. His actions set a precedent
for future government regulation of the
economy and earned him the nickname "the
people's president.
In the early 1900s, workers endured long hours, low wages, and unsafe conditions, while strikes often failed since the government sided with business owners. Roosevelt challenged this by promoting his “Square Deal,” which pushed for government mediation to ensure fairness between labor and industry.
Square Deal
Roosevelt’s “Square Deal” aimed to ensure fairness for business owners, workers, and consumers. He valued big business for the economy but insisted it be regulated when it harmed people, shaping his labor policies and Progressive reforms.
Impact
The 1902 Coal Strike set a new standard for
federal involvement in labor disputes. Roosevelt’s
actions signaled a shift toward greater
government intervention to protect workers and
established him as a leader willing to fight for
fairness and justice.
Coal Strike
In the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike, miners demanded better pay, shorter hours, and union recognition. As the strike threatened a winter coal shortage, Roosevelt broke tradition by inviting both sides to negotiate. When owners refused, he threatened federal takeover of the mines, pressuring a compromise—the first time a president supported workers in a labor dispute.
In the early 1900s, many Americans were alarmed by the poor quality and
safety of food and medicine. Unsanitary practices in factories and the lack of
regulations meant that products sold to the public were often contaminated or
mislabeled. Theodore Roosevelt, driven by the Progressive Era’s call for reform,
championed consumer protection laws to address these issues and ensure the
safety of American families.
Roosevelt’s commitment to consumer protection reflected his broader belief in the government’s
responsibility to safeguard public welfare. These reforms became a key part of his Progressive
legacy, ensuring that the health and safety of Americans took priority over corporate profits.
IMPACT
GREAT WHITE FLEET
President Theodore Roosevelt believed in “Big Stick Diplomacy” aka Gunboat Diplomacy—the idea that the U.S. should seek peaceful solutions but back them with strong military power. He famously said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” For Roosevelt, the “big stick” was a strong navy. To show this strength, in 1907 he sent out the Great White Fleet—16 white-painted battleships that sailed around the world over two years. The fleet's mission was partly goodwill, but mostly it was a message: the U.S. was a rising global power. The impressive display warned other nations, especially Japan, that America had the strength to protect its interests and enforce its growing role on the world stage.
MONROE DOCTRINE & ROOSEVELT COROLLARY
The Monroe Doctrine (1823) declared that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to European colonization, making the U.S. the protector of the Americas. Later, Roosevelt expanded it with the Roosevelt Corollary (1904), which claimed the U.S. had the right to step in if Latin American nations were unstable. Together, they established the U.S. as the dominant force in the Western Hemisphere.
What is a corollary?
- something that follows or comes AFTER. Ex. “a corollary to not studying is failing.”
PANAMA CANAL
One of Roosevelt’s biggest achievements was building the Panama Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Recognizing its strategic and economic importance, Roosevelt supported Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903, sending U.S. naval forces to help ensure success. In return, the new Panamanian government quickly granted the U.S. rights to build and control the canal zone. Construction began soon after, but it was a massive challenge. Workers had to battle tropical diseases like malaria and yellow fever, as well as harsh terrain and dangerous working conditions. Still, thanks to improved medical practices and determined leadership, the canal was completed in 1914. Roosevelt called the Panama Canal his greatest accomplishment, and it had a lasting impact. It drastically shortened shipping routes, boosted global trade, and gave the U.S. Navy quicker access between oceans—solidifying America’s role as a dominant global power.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT
Ashtyn Richey
Created on August 22, 2025
Start designing with a free template
Discover more than 1500 professional designs like these:
View
Teaching Challenge: Transform Your Classroom
View
Frayer Model
View
Math Calculations
View
Interactive QR Code Generator
View
Piñata Challenge
View
Interactive Scoreboard
View
Interactive Bingo
Explore all templates
Transcript
By the early 20th century, industrialization and westward expansion had taken a toll on America’s natural landscapes. Forests were being destroyed, wildlife populations were declining, and vast areas of land were being overused. Theodore Roosevelt, a passionate outdoorsman, believed that protecting the environment was vital for the nation’s future. As president, he led efforts to conserve natural resources and preserve wilderness areas for public use.
Important Legislation
IMPACT
Roosevelt’s conservation efforts laid the foundation for modern environmentalism. His work ensured that America’s natural beauty and resources would not be depleted, and he inspired future presidents to continue the fight for conservation.
In the late 1800s and early 1900s, powerful monopolies dominated industries and politics. Roosevelt, known as the "Trust-Buster," sought to control their unchecked power to protect the public.
Sherman Anti-Trust Act
The Sherman Antitrust Act (1890) wasn’t strongly enforced until Roosevelt, who believed only harmful trusts should be broken up. His administration sued major corporations, including the Northern Securities railroad monopoly, which the Supreme Court dissolved in 1904—strengthening federal power to regulate big business.
Impact
Roosevelt’s trust-busting efforts were not about destroying all big businesses but ensuring that they operated fairly and served the public good. His actions set a precedent for future government regulation of the economy and earned him the nickname "the people's president.
In the early 1900s, workers endured long hours, low wages, and unsafe conditions, while strikes often failed since the government sided with business owners. Roosevelt challenged this by promoting his “Square Deal,” which pushed for government mediation to ensure fairness between labor and industry.
Square Deal
Roosevelt’s “Square Deal” aimed to ensure fairness for business owners, workers, and consumers. He valued big business for the economy but insisted it be regulated when it harmed people, shaping his labor policies and Progressive reforms.
Impact
The 1902 Coal Strike set a new standard for federal involvement in labor disputes. Roosevelt’s actions signaled a shift toward greater government intervention to protect workers and established him as a leader willing to fight for fairness and justice.
Coal Strike
In the 1902 Anthracite Coal Strike, miners demanded better pay, shorter hours, and union recognition. As the strike threatened a winter coal shortage, Roosevelt broke tradition by inviting both sides to negotiate. When owners refused, he threatened federal takeover of the mines, pressuring a compromise—the first time a president supported workers in a labor dispute.
In the early 1900s, many Americans were alarmed by the poor quality and safety of food and medicine. Unsanitary practices in factories and the lack of regulations meant that products sold to the public were often contaminated or mislabeled. Theodore Roosevelt, driven by the Progressive Era’s call for reform, championed consumer protection laws to address these issues and ensure the safety of American families.
Roosevelt’s commitment to consumer protection reflected his broader belief in the government’s responsibility to safeguard public welfare. These reforms became a key part of his Progressive legacy, ensuring that the health and safety of Americans took priority over corporate profits.
IMPACT
GREAT WHITE FLEET
President Theodore Roosevelt believed in “Big Stick Diplomacy” aka Gunboat Diplomacy—the idea that the U.S. should seek peaceful solutions but back them with strong military power. He famously said, “Speak softly and carry a big stick.” For Roosevelt, the “big stick” was a strong navy. To show this strength, in 1907 he sent out the Great White Fleet—16 white-painted battleships that sailed around the world over two years. The fleet's mission was partly goodwill, but mostly it was a message: the U.S. was a rising global power. The impressive display warned other nations, especially Japan, that America had the strength to protect its interests and enforce its growing role on the world stage.
MONROE DOCTRINE & ROOSEVELT COROLLARY
The Monroe Doctrine (1823) declared that the Western Hemisphere was off-limits to European colonization, making the U.S. the protector of the Americas. Later, Roosevelt expanded it with the Roosevelt Corollary (1904), which claimed the U.S. had the right to step in if Latin American nations were unstable. Together, they established the U.S. as the dominant force in the Western Hemisphere.
What is a corollary? - something that follows or comes AFTER. Ex. “a corollary to not studying is failing.”
PANAMA CANAL
One of Roosevelt’s biggest achievements was building the Panama Canal, a crucial waterway connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Recognizing its strategic and economic importance, Roosevelt supported Panama’s independence from Colombia in 1903, sending U.S. naval forces to help ensure success. In return, the new Panamanian government quickly granted the U.S. rights to build and control the canal zone. Construction began soon after, but it was a massive challenge. Workers had to battle tropical diseases like malaria and yellow fever, as well as harsh terrain and dangerous working conditions. Still, thanks to improved medical practices and determined leadership, the canal was completed in 1914. Roosevelt called the Panama Canal his greatest accomplishment, and it had a lasting impact. It drastically shortened shipping routes, boosted global trade, and gave the U.S. Navy quicker access between oceans—solidifying America’s role as a dominant global power.