Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, served from 1901 to 1909 — well before the onset of the Great Depression. While he was a reform-minded leader who challenged monopolies and championed consumer protections, he had no direct role in combating the financial crisis of the 1930s. That responsibility fell to his fifth cousin, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who served as president during the economic collapse and implemented the New Deal. It's easy to confuse the two Roosevelts, especially since both expanded the role of government in different ways. However, distinguishing their respective eras — Progressive Era vs. Depression Era — is important in understanding how U.S. policy evolved to respond to economic and social challenges.