Theodore Roosevelt
At the time where Theodore Roosevelt became President, he would be a precursor to the Progressive Movement in the early 1990's and would lead to a century filed with numerous Progressive-minded Presidents. Theodore Roosevelt was not only perhaps the first well-known progressive President in the history of the United States but he also the first President to really grab the attention of the American people. Theodore Roosevelt stated that he wanted to keep the power of the government under control but he also expanded the powers of the government in order to make important reforms to a growing nation. As President of the United States, he helped implement anti-trust laws to prevent corporations from destroying their competitors. What makes Theodore Roosevelt such a courageous figure was that that he was actual the Lieutenant Colonel of the Rough Rider Regiment who led a charge at the battle of San Juan. Theodore Roosevelt advocated the policy "speak softly and carry a big stick" which would mean not rushing to go to war with justification but showing military force whenever necessary.