Kansas City speech – September 24, 1917, Why we are at war
Subject(s): Armed Forces, Draft, Germany, Lusitania (Steamship), Military readiness, Patriotism, United States, War crimes, World War (1914-1918)
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Theodore Roosevelt thanks members of the Armed Forces for their service during World War I and praises men willing to fight for their country. He condemns the actions of Germany and says that the war is being fought for the greater good of America and for humanity. He gives several examples of Germany’s cruelty and ruthlessness, including the sinking of the Lusitania. He denies claims of the war being a “rich man’s” war but says that anti-war movements are backed by the wealthy for commercial reasons. Roosevelt calls for better preparedness in the future as well as the implementation of universal service.
Collection
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Creation Date
1917-09-24
Creator(s)
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919
Language
English
Period
Post-Presidential Years (1913-January 6, 1919)
Repository
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
Page Count
13
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:
Kansas City speech – September 24, 1917, Why we are at war. [September 24, 1917]. Library of Congress Manuscript Division.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288900. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919. Kansas City speech – September 24, 1917, Why we are at war. [24 Sep. 1917]. Multi-image.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. January 22, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288900.
APA:
Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919., [1917, September 24]. Kansas City speech – September 24, 1917, Why we are at war.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o288900.
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 22, 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.
