Theodore Roosevelt Pros And Cons

Shivam Patel
APUSH
Mr. Mathison
1/10/14

Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) is a highly debated American figure. Many critics question his success in his presidency, while others glorify this battle torn American hero. His presidency was spontaneous. He did not know he was going to become the president, but fate worked its grasp around Roosevelt’s future, turning him from a new Vice President into the youngest appointed President in history. His energy inspired some, and turned away others. While in his presidency, Theodore Roosevelt experienced moderate success in his role as an economic regulator of big business.
In some cases, Teddy Roosevelt showed his ability to bust trusts. Trusts were a monopoly on goods or services, usually managed by a large overarching corporation. Trusts were illegal under the Anti-Sherman Trust Act of 1890. Unenforced, the act rarely was useful or used to eliminate trusts in the American economy. The act became more prolifically used under the Roosevelt administration like in the case of the Northern Securities Company, which was a railroad conglomerate. In 1904, the Supreme Court upheld charges against the company under the Anti-Trust Act, exemplifying the President’s administration’s battle against trusts, yet Roosevelt did not stop at this case.

In 1903, he helped pass a law called the Hepburn Act. The act helped support more government action. Specifically, the act empowered the ICC, or the Interstate Commerce Commission, by giving them the ability to regulate shipping rates. The bill was slowed by Congress, who saw the act as a step in the wrong direction. They believed the government was extending its bounds. Personally stepping in, Teddy supported and pushed the bill through Congress, until it finally passed. Teddy exhibited his ability to personally get legislation through government