Name _________________________
Period ______
1. Theodore Roosevelt has been described as an 'American original'. What is meant by this term?
Do you agree? What other great Americans would you consider to be 'American originals'?
2. Theodore Roosevelt's suffered from poor health as a child. How did this affect his adulthood? What
was its influence?
3. Another 20th century popular president suffered from poor health as a child, John F. Kennedy.
Are there any other similarities between Theodore Roosevelt and John Kennedy?
4. Some historians believe that Theodore Roosevelt's move to the west after his first wife's death
prepared him for the presidency by filling him with the spirit of democracy. What is the
"spirit of democracy"? How did Theodore Roosevelt represent this "spirit of democracy"?
5. How did Theodore Roosevelt's youth affect his popularity and his presidency?
6. Theodore Roosevelt considered the Panama Canal his greatest achievement. Why was the canal
so important to American defense, foreign policy (our relationships with other countries) and
commerce?
7. Theodore Roosevelt was an avid conservationist. Given our modern environmental movement, do
you think that Roosevelt was ahead of his time? How was he different from many men and
women of his era?
8. One of Theodore Roosevelt's greatest strengths as a politician was his campaigning ability. How
did campaigns from the early 20th century differ from the campaigns of today? How has
technology influenced campaigns and presidential elections?
9. Theodore Roosevelt is remembered for many things, not the least of which is the Teddy bear.
What is Roosevelt's legacy? What were his most important contributions to American history? Explain
why you feel these contributions are important.