Which U.S. President is associated with the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War?

• A. Theodore Roosevelt
• B. William Howard Taft
• C. Woodrow Wilson
• D. Calvin Coolidge

Answer: (A)

The association of Theodore Roosevelt with the Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War is significant in both military and political history. As a cavalry unit, the Rough Riders were composed of volunteers and became famous for their charge up San Juan Hill in Cuba in 1898, a pivotal moment in the war. Roosevelt, who was serving as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy prior to the war, resigned his position to join the fight, demonstrating his commitment to military service and national duty.

Roosevelt's leadership of the Rough Riders not only played a key role in the U.S. victory in the war but also contributed to his rise in popularity, which later helped propel him to the presidency. His actions during the war, exemplifying bravery and a sense of adventure, became part of his larger-than-life persona. This background and fame in military service helped Roosevelt shape his policies and approach as a president, emphasizing a strong national defense and American imperialism in the years following the Spanish-American War. The other choices listed—William Howard Taft, Woodrow Wilson, and Calvin Coolidge—do not have a direct connection to the Rough Riders or the events of the Spanish-American War, making Theodore Roosevelt the clear answer in this context.