Cowboy, soldier,
explorer, scientist--
and president
by the age of 42.
But behind the success
was a man haunted
by tragedy.

TR is born into a wealthy New York family that has a strong sense of social justice. He fights his severe asthma through a strenuous exercise program. He be- comes New York State assemblyman. Then tragedy strikes with the untimely deaths of his beloved first wife and his mother. To escape his grief, he flees to the Dakota Badlands for the rigors of ranch life. When he returns, his political career flourishes; he eventually becomes William McKinley's Vice President.

Program Two
"The Bully Pulpit" 1901-1904

After McKinley's assassination, Roosevelt becomes an "accidental" president. Seeing himself as a crusader, TR uses the presidency to advance his agenda of social reform. He expands the power of the presidential office and comes to dominate American politics. Yet, the night he is elected to a second term, TR announces he will not run again, ultimately weakening his second term.

Program Three
"The Good Fight" 1905-1909

TR is just 46 years old when he is inaugurated as president. He builds the Panama Canal, wins the Nobel Prize for Peace, and combatively introduces widesweeping social reforms. As his presidency draws to a close, TR names his best friend, Secretary of War William Howard Taft, as his successor. Taft wins the 1908 election.

Program Four
"Black Care" 1910-1919

TR opposes his old friend Taft for the 1912 Republican nomination. When Taft wins, TR runs for president with his own Progressive Party. Despite enormous popular support, he loses to Democrat Woodrow Wilson. TR, now 55, retreats to the jungles of Brazil for two years for what becomes the most harrowing expedition of his life. His four sons join the World War I effort; shatters TR. Nearly six months later, he dies in his sleep at Sagamore Hill.

What Shapes Party Politics and the Presidency?

Give your students an opportunity to explore the major curricular themes of character, public image, government expansion, and party politics through The American Experience miniseries "TR, The Story of Theodore Roosevelt" and the following lesson plan. (The related programs are indicated in parentheses following each question and activity.)

Before Watching

1. Brainstorm a list of the admirable qualities of an ideal U.S. president. (programs 2 - 3)

2. Have students read and watch media coverage of the 1996 U.S. presidential campaign and discuss how the candidates used the media to create their images. As students watch Roosevelt's 1904 or 1912 presidential campaign, have them take notes on how he used the media to create his image. (programs 2 - 4)

3. Have students work with a partner to research and present the U.S. government's current policy--and any opposition to that policy-- on one of the following subjects: an environmental issue, Cuba, Japan, Panama, business monopolies, labor unions, or food and drug regulation. (programs 2 - 3)

4. Have students research the goals of a third political party in U.S. history (including today). Have them note the similarities and differences between that party and the contemporary mainstream parties. Create a class chart of those similarities and differences. (program 4)

After Watching

1. How did Roosevelt's childhood and early adulthood influence his personal values and political agenda? How did his values and agenda reflect or differ from society's values during different stages of his political career? In your opinion, was Roosevelt admirable? Why or why not? (programs 1 - 4)

2. How did Roosevelt use the media? What do the political cartoons and photographs in the series tell you about how the media presented him to the public? What similarities and differences do you see in the role of the media in politics today? (programs 2 - 4)

3. Think about the policies you discussed before watching. How were Roosevelt's domestic and foreign policies similar to or different from those of the current administration? Discuss the political motivations and historical context of the policies in each time period. (programs 2 - 3)

4. How did the goals of the Progressive Party differ from the goals of the Republican and Democratic parties in the early 1900s? How did the Progressive Party's goals influence Roosevelt's political career? mainstream politics? How did the third parties you researched influence mainstream politics? (programs 2- 4)

5. How did Roosevelt challenge the political system? How did he make changes within the system? As a class, choose a school policy that students would like to change. Divide the class into small groups to outline plans for making this change within the existing system or by challenging the system. (programs 1- 4)