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Theodore Roosevelt's Influences

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Theodore Roosevelt was a really interesting man with opinions that changed the world. Roosevelt is known for a great life. He was known as a “trust buster.” And he shaped the way politics are now. Theodore Roosevelt influenced the modern U.S. in many ways. Theodore Roosevelt is known for how he grew up and how he died. Theodore Roosevelt’s childhood was hard and rough. When he was a child he had asthma which was hard for him. He also had a weak heart, so the doctors told him to get a desk job when he grew up and not strain himself. He went to Harvard University, then after that, he went to Columbia Law School. He didn’t stay long at law school because he was too smart. Theodore Roosevelt’s death was very sad for the whole country. He died from …show more content…

He was good with knowing when to attack. He always found the right time and place to make an action. He liked to plan ahead because this gave him the edge to breaking the monopoly or trust. He never gave up on breaking a trust or a monopoly. Even after he failed he never gave up. He tried everything he could to break trusts and monopolies. Roosevelt tried to use his Presidential powers to break trusts and monopolies. He made laws to make it easier for him to break trusts and monopolies. He tried to use all his presidential powers by making laws. Roosevelt passed 6 laws to make it easier for him as a president, and as a “trust buster.” One of the specific laws he passed was called the Sherman Act. This law declared illegal for all combinations “in restraint of trade.” This law ultimately failed because whenever he tried to use it in court the judge either just denied it or the judge found a way around it. This means that the Sherman Act did not help Roosevelt break any trades or monopolies. Roosevelt was looking for a major monopoly to break, and he came across J.P. Morgan. Roosevelt came at this case aggressively because he really wanted to take down this monopoly. J.P. Morgan controlled a large chunk of railroads, and railroad shipping in the northern U.S. with a company known as the Northern Securities. Morgan was one of the most wealthy men in the U.S. because of his one large monopoly. One morning Morgan’s phone rang, and when he found out that Roosevelt was attacking his business he was very angry. Morgan was angry because Roosevelt was treating like a common criminal, Morgan ended up going to the white house and a compromise had to be found in court. Roosevelt ended up breaking his first major monopoly

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