Question

In what ways did Roosevelt's views change between 1897 and 1910? What factors might have contributed to the change? Can you identify aspects of Roosevelt's thinking that remained the same?

Answer 1

The correct answers to these open questions are the following.

In what ways did Roosevelt's views change between 1897 and 1910?

At first, he tried to remain neutral. He just observed how things unfolded not lying to one side or the other. He considered it was the best thing to do as President for all the Americans.

What factors might have contributed to the change?

The Gilded Age, and the way industrialists and business owners started to irrationally grow, acquiring most of their competitors by buying them. They grew and grew until monopolies were created. That was the case of companies such as teh Standard Oil company of John D. Rockefeller and the US Steel company of Andrew Carnegie. The Progressive movement started and exerted great pressure to demand changes in government and legislation.

Can you identify aspects of Roosevelt's thinking that remained the same?

Theodore Roosevelt maintained his principles but was very aware of the political corruption acts and inactions in some part of the government, that is why he became a leader of the Progressive movement and tried to compete for the Presidency as the candidate of the Progressive Party.