TR hardly would have run anymore on 1920. Him had already bad health and death of his son Quentin Roosevelt on WW1 didn't help situation. If Roosevelt survives to January 1, 1920, he hardly lives very long anymore. So not changes there.
And even if Roosevelt would has been healthier on 1920, I am unsure that he still would has run on 1920.
If his health is such that he doesn't die a few months later?
He's elected President of the United States in November of 1920. Probably in 1924 as well, health permitting.
Not sure how you get his health issues resolved without actual divine intervention.
Have him not go on that Amazon expedition? ("His health never fully recovered after the trip." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt–Rondon_Scientific_Expedition)
A lot, apparently, from what I've read in Brands' and Morris' biographies. And perhaps a more physically robust TR wouldn't have reacted as strongly as he did to Quentin's death (perhaps deep grief that only a father can feel for a son, but mitigated some by vowing to return to the presidency to do something that would ensure Quentin did not die in vain).This might help but how much it would help actually?
A lot, apparently, from what I've read in Brands' and Morris' biographies. And perhaps a more physically robust TR wouldn't have reacted as strongly as he did to Quentin's death (perhaps deep grief that only a father can feel for a son, but mitigated some by vowing to return to the presidency to do something that would ensure Quentin did not die in vain).
Now if somehow in addition Quentin is wounded but survives, you'd have a TR more than likely to survive to 1920 and in about as good shape as you could have a man of 60 in those days. If that's the case, he's essentially a shoo-in for the presidency, and the 1920s will be quite different. Forget Teapot Dome; won't happen (Warren Harding might have been TR's running mate--at one time it was discussed--but he'd have zero clout, and the Ohio Gang would be on the outside looking in). I wouldn't be surprised either if Prohibition might have come to an earlier end based on the premise that it was spottily enforced, a waste of tax dollars, and forgoing a huge revenue stream. Also, I have to wonder if someone other than Mellon (say, Charles Dawes) as SecTreas might have been alarmed at the insanity on Wall Street and moved to rein in buying on margin, thus dampening or avoiding the crash in 1929?
I see your point but will counter that by the 1920s the Old Guard that hindered his progress in the first decade of the 20th century was on the way out if not out entirely (Boies Penrose died in December 1921, for example), while a lot of the old progressives (Borah, Johnson) were well established in the Senate. IOTL, something of a power vacuum in the GOP allowed the bosses to put Harding over the top; no such vacuum would exist here. Also never underestimate TR's popularity: he could galvanize the public in a way few others could. With a strong cabinet including such men as Hughes (I think they'd be professional enough to put aside their differences for the common good) at State, Dawes at Treasury, Lowden at Justice, Hoover at Commerce, and a VP like William Sproul or Irvine Lenroot, you'd have a powerhouse administration that could get a lot done. (It's not impossible that TR could have co-opted his cousin Franklin into his administration, turning him into a '20s equivalent of James Schlesinger, a man who could serve both parties.)Good points 1940- & though I'm uncertain
if a TR presidency in the 1920's could have
accomplished all you list out(remember that
IOTL TR often found it hard sledding vs. the
G.O.P. old guard many of whom were still
around in the 1920's)hey, I sure as hell can't
see him doing any worse than Harding &
Coolidge did IOTL(I do strongly doubt though
TR could have won a 3rd term in 1924; by
then I think the country would have felt
they'd had enough of him)
I see your point but will counter that by the 1920s the Old Guard that hindered his progress in the first decade of the 20th century was on the way out if not out entirely (Boies Penrose died in December 1921, for example), while a lot of the old progressives (Borah, Johnson) were well established in the Senate. IOTL, something of a power vacuum in the GOP allowed the bosses to put Harding over the top; no such vacuum would exist here. Also never underestimate TR's popularity: he could galvanize the public in a way few others could. With a strong cabinet including such men as Hughes (I think they'd be professional enough to put aside their differences for the common good) at State, Dawes at Treasury, Lowden at Justice, Hoover at Commerce, and a VP like William Sproul or Irvine Lenroot, you'd have a powerhouse administration that could get a lot done. (It's not impossible that TR could have co-opted his cousin Franklin into his administration, turning him into a '20s equivalent of James Schlesinger, a man who could serve both parties.)
One thing, though: I wouldn't look for a naval treaty much like that IOTL. I don't think TR would tolerate Japan getting anywhere within shouting distance of the US by limiting American naval arms.
Don't look for the KKK to be nearly the force it was IOTL: my sense is that TR would have excoriated it thoroughly, while reversing Wilson's racial policies and then some. I could see TR reading any Klansmen out of the GOP summarily, telling them the party doesn't want or need their kind. Sure, it means the south is even more solid, but to little practical effect there. On the flip side, perhaps the black vote becomes more solidly GOP to the point of seeing a handful of black representatives in the '20s. Long story short, a TR redux would probably advance race relations noticeably.
By 1924, TR would probably opt for one more time around, although he's getting older and tired (he'd be 66 by election day). I could see him working to groom a couple of possible successors--and no, I don't mean Hoover. Can't see him and TR getting along well enough such that he'd be seen as a possible successor. I'd think more in terms of Dawes, Lowden, or possibly Lenroot. And in this timeline, 1928 isn't the poisoned chalice it was IOTL, since measures taken during these alt-roaring '20s would yield nothing worse than a mild-to-moderate recession in 1929, given the curtailment of buying on minimal margin. You'd probably not have Prohibition as an issue as it was IOTL 1928, since likely for reasons cited above, repeal would have been accomplished by then.
Would FDR become president still?
THAT is the $100 question. Maybe we need
a whole new thread here...
Have him not go on that Amazon expedition? ("His health never fully recovered after the trip." https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roosevelt–Rondon_Scientific_Expedition)
At his death Colonel Roosevelt carried in his body the bullet which was fired by Schrank, at Milwaukee during the Presidential campaign of 1912, which nearly resulted in Colonel Roosevelt's death, because he went on and delivered his speech immediately after the attack.
This and other shocks to his constitution, it was said, might have contributed to the condition which finally brought about his end. Colonel Roosevelt survived innumerable accidents and dangers to his life, which might have left some mark on his constitution. When he first entered the White House, his Secretary of State, John Hay, concluded a letter of praise for Colonel Roosevelt by saying: "He will not live long."
He referred to a series of accidents to the President, each one of which was not far from fatal. Of all the accidents which Colonel Roosevelt went through, that which left the worst effects happened in South America. He tore his leg badly when he was thrown from a boat while descending the River of Doubt and the wound became badly infected. While ill from this he suffered an attack of fever. His health was never sound for any long period since his return from South America early in 1914.
This wound in his leg was directly responsible for the complication of diseases which sent him to the hospital in February of last year, where for a time his life was despaired of. He suffered from a fistula and from an abscess in the ear, which stopped just before it reached the mastoid process.
Even after this illness his energy would not allow him to lead a cautious life. Shortly after his recovery he undertook a trip in the West for the National Security League and made a number of speeches. It was during this tour that he had his historic reconciliation with ex-President Taft at the Hotel Blackstone in Chicago.
In June, while he was in the Middle West, he had a severe attack of erysipelas, but refused to go to a hospital. In spite of intense suffering, he made speeches at Omaha, Indianapolis, and St. Louis. Taking his physician with him he made a 120-mile automobile trip to keep speaking engagements and returned to Indianapolis leaving his physician a "wreck," while he was fresh and vigorous physically though in a good deal of pain. He came home by train and spent a part of his first day chopping wood.
Besides carrying a bullet in his body, Colonel Roosevelt was partially blind and partially deaf. The sight of his left eye was destroyed while he was in the White House in a boxing match. The hearing of one ear was destroyed by the abscess in his ear last February. He had suffered from broken ribs on numerous occasions, mostly in falls from horses, and a strained ligament on a rib caused him a severe attach of pleurisy in 1916. After that attack he was ordered by his physicians to give up violent exercise, but this advice he would not follow.
The Law of Unintended Consequences strikes again...so, it's a good thing Teddie died when he did!I think if TR wins in 20 and 24 it would be difficult for FDR to win.
1. Lots of TR and people in the USA would have not liked a dynasty. That would be against him.
2. No crisis to make the man
I would love a TL on this
The Law of Unintended Consequences strikes again...so, it's a good thing Teddie died when he did!