Theodore Roosevelt: an American radical?
Subject(s): Aldrich, Nelson W. (Nelson Wilmarth), 1841-1915, Butler, Nicholas Murray, 1862-1947, Hofstadter, Richard, 1916-1970, Inheritance and transfer tax--Law and legislation, Judicial review, Lodge, Henry Cabot, 1850-1924, McMillan, Grace Green Roosevelt, 1911-1994, Presidents--Attitudes, Roosevelt, Alice Lee, 1861-1884, Roosevelt, Franklin D. (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945, Roosevelt, Theodore, 1858-1919, Saltonstall, Rose Smith Lee, 1835-1903, Taft, William H. (William Howard), 1857-1930
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Susan Dunn examines Theodore Roosevelt’s policy positions during and after his presidency and asks whether Roosevelt was a cautious conservative or a radical progressive. Dunn emphasizes that Roosevelt often made it difficult for others to determine his stance because of his muddled language, but she asserts that Roosevelt was constrained by the need to work with others in the Republican party and by the Constitution which, with its checks and balances, limited the power of the president. Dunn notes that some of Roosevelt’s stances, favoring an inheritance tax and the review of judicial decisions, cost him the support of friends and colleagues such as Henry Cabot Lodge. Dunn labels Roosevelt “a bold, courageous leader” who achieved much despite the need to compromise with his party and the Constitution.
Seven photographs of Roosevelt from 1875, 1880, 1899, 1901, 1910, and 1914 illustrate the article.
Collection
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal
Creation Date
2002
Creator(s)
Language
English
Period
Theodore Roosevelt and Public Memory (1919-present)
Page Count
12
Production Method
Record Type
Image
Resource Type
Rights
No permission is required from the Theodore Roosevelt Association to use items in the Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal collection for educational purposes. For permissions, contact William Tilchin at (516) 921-6319 or by email at wnt@bu.edu.
Citation
Cite this Record
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt: an American radical?. [2002]. Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal.
https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308205. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Dunn, Susan, 1945-. Theodore Roosevelt: an American radical?. [2002]. Image.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308205.
APA:
Dunn, Susan, 1945-., [2002]. Theodore Roosevelt: an American radical?.
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/digital-library/o308205.
Cite this Collection
Chicago:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University.
MLA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. February 5, 2026. https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
APA:
Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal. Theodore Roosevelt Digital Library. Dickinson State University. Retrieved from https://www.theodorerooseveltcenter.org/collection/theodore-roosevelt-association-journal.
