“That’s the best I can do for you, Jack.”

President Roosevelt swings “the big stick” at battleships hanging from a tree as “Congress” holds onto the branch. A paper begins to fall to the ground: “pledge of 2 battleships each year in future.” A little boy labeled “Navy” watches the battleships fall.

comments and context

Comments and Context

Theodore Roosevelt, whose first major book was about the naval aspects of the War of 1812, and who was Assistant Secretary of the Navy before forming the Rough Rider Volunteer Regiment to fight in Cuba, never abandoned a lively interest in America’s seaborne defense capabilities.

Throughout his presidency he continuously fought for increases in commissioned ships, and a variety of organizational reforms in the navy, from promotions to physical fitness standards.

In every one of the budget requests and projected programs issued annually through his presidency, Roosevelt argued for increases that always included, at a minimum, two new battleships, among other requests. Characteristically, these were not mere random wish-lists; the president invariably provided Congress — in spite of its consistent lack of shared enthusiasm — with voluminous statistics and projections.

An examination of Roosevelt’s letters, speeches, and appointments in April 1908 reveals that he strained every effort, and tried to persuade everyone from voters to senators (including his lifelong ally, reluctant on this issue, Senator Henry Cabot Lodge), to agree to even larger increases in naval armaments. Roosevelt was not merely in love with boats — he believed that a large and effective navy insured America’s security, even more than a larger army. The mission of the Great White Fleet, sent around the world on a ports-of-call goodwill cruise, was meant to inspire the American public as much as to impress overseas leaders. And among practical considerations, a goal of the Panama Canal’s construction was to facilitate the movement of American warships if needed in emergencies; and Roosevelt foresaw, long-range, the possibility of hostilities along the West Coast of the United States.

The president’s intense efforts on behalf of a naval build-up, as his administration was drawing to a close, did not result in authorization for four new battleships to be commissioned, apparently a failure on his part. However, the “consolation” was a Congressional commitment to add two new battleships a year beyond 1908, which pleased the wily president very much.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-04-28

Creator(s)

Harding, Nelson, -1944

Language

English

Period

U.S. President – 2nd Term (March 1905-February 1909)

Page Count

1

Production Method

Printed

Record Type

Image

Resource Type

Cartoon

Rights

These images are presented through a cooperative effort between the Library of Congress and Dickinson State University. No known restrictions on publication.

Citation