Theodore Roosevelt was the first modern president of the United States of America. From September 14, 1901 to March 4, 1909 Roosevelt redefined foreign policy and political framework of the United State's and set the country on the path to becoming the first world super power of the 20th century. "He is exactly the right man for the times". (Documentary) Theodore embodied the new century. A young man full of new ideas for a changing time.
Theodore Roosevelt believed that the President should be the center of American politics. Prior to his election the country was essentially run by Congress. Congress was the most powerful branch in the government and had dominated all aspects of political life in the second half of the 19th century. Roosevelt came into office with what might be considered radical views at the time. He thought that
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He believe that the President had a particular responsibility to the people of the United States in order to ensure their general well being.
In the late 19th century the population of the United States had almost doubled as immigrants flooded into large industrial cities to work in the country's blossoming factories. The United States was becoming more and more industrial. People were moving in droves to the cities for work, abandoning the farms, immigrants from all over the world came in pursuit for a job and the American Dream. The rapidly developing country was struck with a wide range of new problems soon to become routine for large industrial nations. Issues such as; overcrowded cities, poor working conditions, greater economic disparity, and the political dominance of big business. Roosevelt feared that the gap between the wealthy trust owners and the working class was growing too rapidly. He worried that the poor working conditions and wages would