Conversation so far:
When did Theodore Roosevelt become assistant secretary of the navy?
President William McKinley appointed Theodore Roosevelt as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1897.
What did Theodore Roosevelt do as assistant secretary of the Navy?
Influenced by Alfred Thayer Mahan, Theodore Roosevelt called for a build-up in the country's naval strength, particularly the construction of battleships
Why did Theodore Roosevelt strengthen the Navy?
Theodore Roosevelt began pressing his national security views regarding the Pacific and the Caribbean on McKinley, and was particularly adamant that Spain be ejected from Cuba
Why did Theodore Roosevelt want Spain ejected from Cuba?
Theodore Roosevelt wanted to free America from European dominion, give the people something to think of which is not material gain, and try the Navy and Army in actual practice.

Question: Was Roosevelt successful as assistant secretary of the navy?
Self-contained rewrite: Was Theodore Roosevelt successful as assistant secretary of the Navy?