Thomas McCarthney
Mr. Lupovich
U.S. History per.8
7 November 2012
A Different Kind of Rags to Riches Story
Being the President of the Unites States is a job that is not made for everyone, full of on the spot decisions, which make and break a president’s reputation. In order to lead the Unites States, it takes; Ruthlessness, appreciation, and most importantly determination. These are all characteristics that Theodore Roosevelt had, however Roosevelt was not always the man that he was during his presidency. Through all of the emotional hardships that Roosevelt endured throughout his life, He has become one of the greatest presidents in American History.
Roosevelt was born with a severe case of asthma, and his parents found it best to send him out west to build up his physical strength. At this time in Roosevelt’s life is when he learned marksmanship, and horseback riding. He had turned into the ultimate outdoorsman. As an adult, he became a police commissioner for New York City and soon earned the prestigious job of assistant secretary of the navy. And as soon as the Spanish- American war broke out, he was offered one of three volunteer regiments.
The president had a regiment that was called, “Roosevelt’s Rough Riders” and was the only regiment to actually see any action during the war. The rough riders were made up of about a total of one thousand men that were consisting of all different types of Americans, from cowboys and ranchers to outlaws and college students. Since he had this diversity among his regiment, Roosevelt grew an appreciation for the lower class, and a bond that would be very essential during his term in office.
Roosevelt landed in Cuba in July of 1898, to lead his regiment up San Juan Hill and seized the Spanish occupied entrenchment. What this attack allowed the Americans to do was to take Santiago and to force Spain to flee to Cuba. Although the rough riders won the battle, they lost 15 men, and wounded 73, but the real tragedy was...