Theodore Roosevelt (Essay Sample)

Theodore Roosevelt
Student’s Name
University Affiliation

Summary
This paper focuses on the achievements of Theodore Roosevelt who is a significant figure in the environmental conservation arena. The paper discusses his early life, career, his political life as well as his life as a conservationist. It also discusses his achievements which include the efforts to end civil war, the commitment to strengthen the security of the country as well as the environmental stewardship which has seen his name among the world’s most significant figures behind environmental conservation. Prior to Theodore becoming a president, he was a campaigner for environmental protection and management. His love for the environment began in his formative years leading him to initiate a museum for specimens he collected. This love for the environment became part of him until his death. During his term as president, he appended his signature on various bills and acts for enhanced protection and management of environmental resources. The voice of environmentalists was taken into consideration during the reign of Theodore. Theodore’s love for the environment stemmed from the fact that the survival of man depended on it. He was fondly known as the environmental president. The influence of Theodore still continues up to date. The public is now more involved in environmental decision making and environmental protection involves laws that limit or restrict exploitation.
Introduction
The environmental conservation movement was introduced to advocate for the proper management of the environment. Among the most significant figures that spearheaded this movement was President Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, 1901 to 1909 (Roosevelt, 2011). He was an ambitious person who had developed passion for the environment that saw him join the conservation movement. His intelligence and influence gave him an upper hand in his environmental stewardship. This paper discusses Theodore’s life and his achievements in the conservation of the environment.
Theodore’s Life
Theodore Roosevelt was born to Martha and Theodore Roosevelt in October 1858. He had three siblings. In his early days, he developed asthmatic conditions which made his life difficult thus making him to live closer to his parents in an effort to keep his health life monitored. He later joined Harvard Law School and after which he was admitted to Columbia Law School to advance his studies. He dropped from the school to join politics and later joined the environmental conservation movement groups in the US (Roosevelt, 2011).
Theodore’s love for politics was evident when he left the Law School in Columbia. He was elected as a representative of the New York City in the Assembly after having served as a leader in several occasions. He later, in 1884, went out of politics following the death of his mother and his wife both of whom had died on the same day. This was traumatizing making him loose concentration in politics. He however, came back to politics in 1886 where he contested for the post of the New York City Mayor but lost the contest that was characterized by stiff competition. Despite the loss, he secured position in the public service where he served in different positions such as the police commissioner and the civil service commissioner (Roosevelt, 2011).
Theodore later quit his position as a civil servant, in 1898, and established the Rough Riders Calvary that later led to the rising of the battle of San Juan Heights. It was in this year that he received the nomination which later saw him elected as the governor of the New York City. In 1901, he was elected the Vice President of the US alongside McKinley who was elected the President of the US. In the same year, McKinley was assassinated after which Theodore took his place as the president of the US (Roosevelt, 2011). Theodore died in his sleep on 6th January 1919. He was known for his accomplishments as a politician and as an environmental steward.
Theodore Roosevelt’s Work and Accomplishments
Theodore believed in justice for all people. He advocated for the idea of equality in the economic status of every citizen. He was known for leading movements that saw the breakup of major companies and he was also among the champions of the environment who advocated for its conservation. He came up with an initiative that was aimed at raising funds to purchase tracts of land for the purpose of planting trees that could act as carbon sinks to minimize adverse effects that were caused by the increasing pollution and carbon generation into the atmosphere (Meltzer, 1994). He was devoted to serve the people he led. All actions decisions were basically meant to create better lives for the purpose of enhancing the lives of the people. Theodore had many notable accomplishments. First, he played a key role as a mediator between major wars in the world including the war between Japan and Russia. His efforts in ending war saw him win a Nobel Prize in the year 1906.
Theodore expanded the military base by offering them proper equipment and facilities such as the cruisers thus improving the security of the country. Theodore was also an environmental steward. He sensitized people on the need to conserve the environment and the dangers associated with environmental degradation through such activities as pollution and resource exploitation (Donald, 2007). He signed several treaties that were aimed at conserving the environment. He was also actively involved in the improvement of infrastructure and other development projects which were key to economic development in the US (Meltzer, 1994).
Contribution of Theodore’s Work to the Early Conservation Movement
Theodore’s love for nature began at a very early age. He began a museum at the age of seven where he collected specimen of animals he caught while out hunting and others from family and friends (Rulon, 1992). He would also participate in family trips in the Alps, Egypt, Vienna and Syria with great enthusiasm where he further collected bird specimens for mounting in his museum. His love for nature and its study led to the formation of the first influential environmental movement after the realization that environmental resources were facing extinction due to the high rate of depletion. This was after 1884 when he had given all his collections to other museums. His partners in the fight for a well managed and protected environment were mainly sportsmen who were closest to nature (Rulon, 1992).
The Boone and Crockett Club was begun by Theodore and Bird in the year 1887. The club campaigned for the study of wildlife and their habitats, their preservation, controlled hunting, management of forests, clean water and limited natural resources use. This club also rose up to campaign for the protection of Yellowstone against economic exploitation and succeeded when, in 1894, a bill was signed for its protection. Members of this club became his m...