Roosevelt unexpectedly became president in 1901, upon the assassination of William McKinley. Only forty-two at the time, he was known for daring military exploits during the Spanish–American War, which had earned him a place on the Republican ticket. Though his mother was born in Georgia
Yeah, that was part of the reason for his obsession with war: TR's father paid another man to fight in his place at his wife's request - taking advantage of the conscription loopholes that were so despised - and TR thought it was the one thing his father had to be ashamed about.