Question

Which statement accurately describes one of Theodore Roosevelt's accomplishments as president? Foreign Policy - He led the United States to victory in World War I. Foreign Policy - He oversaw the construction of the Panama Canal. Foreign Policy - He gave the Philippine Islands their independence Domestic Policy - He granted U.S. citizenship to all Native Americans.

Answer 1

Correct answer:  Foreign Policy - He oversaw the construction of the Panama Canal.

As reported by the Office of the Historian of the United States:  "President Theodore Roosevelt oversaw the realization of a long-term United States goal—a trans-isthmian canal" across the Isthmus of Panama.  With Teddy Roosevelt in the White House, in 1902 the US Senate approved the building of a canal through Panama.  Roosevelt's Secretary of State then went to work to arrange a treaty with Columbia (then in control of the Panama region).  When Columbia ended up rejecting the US's offer, President Roosevelt sent US naval warships to support the cause of Panama's independence from Columbia.  After Panama achieved independence (with US support) in 1903, the new country, the Republic of Panama, agreed to treaty terms with the US for the building of the canal.  The Panama Canal was completed in 1914.

About the incorrect answers:  

• Woodrow Wilson was US president during the World War I years.
• The United States took possession of the Philippines in 1898  (a couple years before Roosevelt's presidency).  The US did not grant independence to the Philippines till 1946.
• In an 1886 speech, Teddy Roosevelt had said, "I don’t go so far as to think that the only good Indians are the dead Indians, but I believe nine out of every ten are.  And I shouldn’t like to inquire too closely into the case of the tenth.”   Roosevelt brought that attitude into office with him during his presidency (1901-1909).  As reported by Alysa Landry in an article for Indian Country Today: (June 28, 2016): "Roosevelt’s seven and a half years in office were marked by his support of the Indian allotment system, the removal of Indians from their lands and the destruction of their culture."