“Theodore Roosevelt” explores the life of one of history’s most fascinating figures — a cowboy, soldier, statesman, conservationist, adventurer, reformer, author, and finally, U.S. president.
Born under auspicious circumstances, Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt lived through what we now call the Gilded Age, replete with its extremes of wealth and poverty. As Roosevelt came of age, the U.S. was a land without safety nets, minimum wages, or social security.
Roosevelt entered the realm of public service perhaps as most men of privilege did, which is to say, with a fair amount of naivete regarding the working man’s plight. Nonetheless, his father had instilled in his son a sense of duty that public servants should bring to their office. As Roosevelt began understanding the significant class differences in America, he was deeply moved and motivated.
Upon meeting labor leader Samuel Gompers who championed what was known as the cigar bill, Roosevelt was initially skeptical about the plight of the labor class. However, that soon changed after he was given a tour of the working conditions for cigar makers – an event that stunned the young man. The squalid conditions opened Roosevelt’s eyes to the rampant, abusive child labor and unapologetic exploitation of working men and women. His first-hand experience would guide his actions throughout his life.
Although the cigar bill passed with Roosevelt’s steadfast support, it was soon overturned by the courts. Regardless, Roosevelt pressed ahead with other reform bills, guided by his increasing knowledge of how to navigate the political system. While he found some success, personal tragedy intervened to derail his political career for a time.
The unexpected death of his wife and mother on the same day, in the same apartment, spurred Roosevelt to abandon New York for the frontier, figuring never to return. In North Dakota – still the old West – he read, wrote, reflected, hunted, and sought adventure. The wide-open spaces captured his spirit and imagination as he reveled in the frontier myth, his new reality. Later, as the first conservation president, Roosevelt never forgot his experiences in the expansive western territory.
After two years in the wilderness, Roosevelt returned east to Washington. He remarried and began reform of the civil service system. A few years later, in 1895, Roosevelt was lured back to New York to undertake reforms there. Colossal infrastructure projects were underway, driven by rapid urbanization, industrialization, and vast numbers of immigrants. But inequality still ran rampant.
As police commissioner, Roosevelt exposed sadistic corruption from the cop on the beat up to the chief’s office. The most dangerous, powerful man in New York, Thomas Byrnes, the chief of police, used aggressive and intimidating tactics to suppress enemies. Roosevelt took him on anyway, eventually forcing Byrnes to resign.
Once again, Roosevelt ventured from his office to better understand life on the streets – in this case, between midnight and five in the morning. His informal investigation resulted in the reassignment or outright termination of many policemen. He standardized policy equipment, brought in typewriters, and reformed the force. However, widespread backlash against those reforms ultimately cost the Republican party dearly and Roosevelt his job.
In 1897, President William McKinley appointed Roosevelt as assistant secretary to the Navy, a laggard institution at the time by international standards. When war with Spain began – a result of the sinking of the Battleship Maine in Havana Harbor – Roosevelt resigned despite urgings from McKinley and led the Rough Riders regiment into battle in Cuba. His reputation had preceded him – with his men reveling under his command. The war ended with the Battle of San Juan Hill when Spain surrendered and gave up Cuba. Puerto Rico and Guam became U.S. territories in the process. Roosevelt returned from “the splendid little war” as the most famous man in America.
Afterward, Roosevelt ran for governor in New York as a reformer – forcing party bosses to reluctantly fall in line. He barnstormed the state, essentially representing the first of the modern campaigners, speaking from the rear car of his train. Although a close election, his populist appeal won over the masses. Roosevelt took the opportunity to institute reforms across the board, including the taxation of corporations.
Roosevelt’s significant reform successes did not sit well with party bosses, who sought to keep him from running again. They intended to neutralize the popular candidate by installing him as vice president under William McKinley. As expected and according to plan, the McKinley-Roosevelt ticket won the election.
With little to do as vice president, Roosevelt retreated to the wide-open West, fearing that he had become a political exile. Much to Roosevelt’s dismay, McKinley had given him no responsibility or assignments.
Meanwhile, back east, the industrial age took off with a vengeance, as manifested by electricity, automobiles, and early attempts at flying. These technological developments enamored McKinley greatly, leading to an unexpected outcome. During a meet-and-greet shortly after the election at the Buffalo Pan-American Exposition in 1901, McKinley insisted on wading into the crowds and was assassinated by a lone gunman.
In a literal heartbeat, Roosevelt was thrust from sheer irrelevance into the presidency. His life of preparation for something great – though never quite articulated – had come to pass. Too often forgotten in the 21st century, a legendary figure was born. Roosevelt used his considerable political clout as president – among other things – to transform the nature of labor relations with large corporations. Though the industry titans pushed back, they were ultimately forced to acquiesce to what now seems as eminently reasonable demands regarding working conditions and compensation.
His effusive confidence was infectious. He rallied the masses with themes of fairness, justice, and equity. The first-celebrity president, he made his mark unlike any of his predecessors – in fact, the youngest president ever to serve up to that point.
Roosevelt had a strong sense of how profoundly racist the country was and demeaning to African Americans, with 140 blacks lynched every day. Roosevelt invited Booker T. Washington – the most prominent African American in the United States – to dinner at the White House in a highly symbolic move. The South was incensed. Over a hundred years later, the backdrop of white supremacy still permeates many areas of society in America.
On the labor front, Roosevelt resumed his efforts at industry reform. Coal was the primary energy source in the U.S., which the country has in abundance. Yet, while coal barons grew rich, coal miners lived in poverty and destitution. Roosevelt brought the union and mine interests to the White House, where he acted as mediator. The battle lines were drawn between operators, miners, and the public. Roosevelt proclaimed that he stood firmly on the side of the public, prompting insults regarding his breeding – or lack thereof.
It’s hard to appreciate Roosevelt’s impact on the rules that big business played by, with many analogies to the present day, as seemingly unchecked business interests dominate politics. He used the Bully Pulpit – a term he coined – to press his case forward to the American people.
Rufus Jones stars as Theodore Roosevelt in this compelling story. The combination of documentary footage with recreated scenes serves the narrative well. Doris Kearns Goodwin produced and narrates this fascinating documentary about Theodore Roosevelt, with Leonardo DiCaprio as co-producer. Famed historian H.W. Brands – among several other notables – also offers commentary on the famous man’s life.
“Theodore Roosevelt” is an excellent primer for those unfamiliar with the iconic president and will likely spur many to seek more detailed biographies about him. Brought up in a life of privilege, he transformed into a war hero and controversial progressive politician – all made possible only by the persistent populist support he could garner along the campaign trail.
Now available on DVD
