[Abridged] Presidential Histories 26.B.) How NY made TR, an interview with Ted Kohn
Mar 21, 2022
Ted Kohn, Dean of the College of Liberal Arts at Norwich University and author, dives into the life of Theodore Roosevelt, revealing how his gritty upbringing in late 19th century New York City molded his progressive ideals. Kohn discusses the pivotal influences on Roosevelt’s transition from law to politics and his rise as a reformer confronting corruption. The podcast also explores the profound impact of personal tragedy on Roosevelt’s resilience and leadership style, offering lessons for modern politics.
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New York Shaped His Progressive Agenda
- New York City in Roosevelt's youth was an extreme example of rapid urbanization with concentrated problems like corruption and poor living conditions.
- Those urban challenges shaped Roosevelt into an "urban progressive" focused on cleaning, health, and anti-corruption reforms.
Born Into New York Elite Yet Exposed To Poverty
- Roosevelt was born into one of New York's oldest and wealthiest families, growing up in a Gramercy Park brownstone with elite comforts.
- Despite wealth, his father's charitable work exposed him to tenements and the city's poorer neighborhoods early on.
Personal Loss Pushed Him Into Gritty Politics
- Personal loss and daily walks through the city's extremes drove Roosevelt from Harvard into active local politics at 23.
- He preferred action over observation, entering rough-and-tumble district politics rather than remaining a sheltered dilettante.
