Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg
Subject(s): Belgium, Civilization, Modern, Germany, International relations--Moral and ethical aspects, Liberalism, Peace--International cooperation, Peace--Political aspects, Russia, Security, International, War crimes, War--Moral and ethical aspects, War--Planning, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt does not believe there can be a satisfactory peace until the wrongs against Belgium have been redressed. He thinks that most Germans acted out of an “honorable fear,” but a small portion, including many German leaders, have pursued an aggressive foreign policy regardless of the rights of other nations and international morality. Belgium has been ruined and Roosevelt wants them to receive reparations and a guarantee that the wrongs will not be repeated. He agrees that Russians are backwards but argues that liberal ideas are gaining ground and that a liberal Russia will prevent “Asiatic rule over Europe.” Roosevelt is not a pacifist and seeks peace by “putting international force behind an international desire to secure at least a reasonable approximation toward justice and fair play.”
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1914-10-03
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Recipient
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
5
Production Method
Record Type
Multi-image
Resource Type
Rights
These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg. [October 3, 1914]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210505. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg. [3 Oct. 1914]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210505.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1914, October 3]. Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o210505.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 23, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
APA:
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/library-of-congress-manuscript-division.
