March 3, 2026
Teddy Roosevelt–One of Our Greatest Presidents?
Class Description
Tonight’s Thesis: Was Teddy Roosevelt one of the Greatest American Presidents?
When we look at the pictures on Mount Rushmore of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Abraham Lincoln there is little doubt these are great American Presidents and heroes. But what about the fourth President on the monument—third from left—Theodore Roosevelt. We will learn about “Teddy” in tonight’s class.
Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt became president in 1901, after the assassination of President William McKinley, who was six months into his second term. While the 26th president was no founding father, he as a key figure in American expansionism. Roosevelt’s work in creating the Panama Canal, busting monopolies in the American economy and conserving valuable public lands set a successful tone for the United States at the turn of the 20th century. During his speeches he exercised plain, ordinary virtues, which called on all good citizens to possess common sense, honesty, courage and energy.
From his childhood years, where he suffered from asthma, Roosevelt took up boxing and hunting lions and his “Rough Rider” days became almost mythical in stature. Often, crossing party lines to get things done, Roosevelt injected himself directly into foreign policy and domestic issues. His foreign policy became known as, “Speak Softly and Carry a Big Stick.” Roosevelt’s relationship with Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany was similar to many of the foreign leaders who were in awe of Teddy.
Watch One of the Greatest Speeches Ever Delivered, “The Man in the Arena” — Click Here
Learn about Roosevelt, the “Great Regulator” and Teddy’s domestic program named “The Square Deal”. Roosevelt’s helped seal his image of a cowboy soldier when he formed a group called “The Rough Riders” who would see battle in the Spanish American War. And what about that Teddy Bear?
Join us tonight for focus on our early American History and learn about the life of President Theodore Roosevelt, a true President for the people.
Speaker Bio
Dan Regenold has been the Managing Board Member at EmpowerUAmerica.org for 15 years. He is a lover of Liberty and enjoys speaking to EmpowerU classes about subjects he is passionate about. In the past Dan has discussed: Milton Friedman, Saul Alinsky, D-Day, The Deficit, America, Public Education, Winston Churchill, Pearl Harbor, President Theodore Roosevelt, Thomas Sowell, and Sam Adams at EmpowerU Classes.
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