Your TR Source

Citizenship--Philosophy

Search by Date Range

Clear Filters

3 Results

Theodore Roosevelt on Politics

Theodore Roosevelt on Politics

In excerpts from two speeches and one magazine article, Theodore Roosevelt makes the case for citizens to actively engage in politics. In the first excerpt, Roosevelt says that he entered politics so that he could govern and not just be governed by others. Roosevelt also says that merely talking about issues is not enough; one must join others in “practical politics,” and he asserts that the nation’s political leaders, good or bad, reflect the people who elected them.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Creation Date

1907-02-23

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg

Letter from Theodore Roosevelt to Hugo Munsterberg

Theodore Roosevelt regrets losing his German friends because of his opinion on the war and feels that his views, compared to Hugo Münsterberg’s, are “as far apart as the poles.” Roosevelt is an American and nothing else. He opposes “hyphenated Americanism.” He believes English should be the language of the United States but Americans must also remain distinct from the people of Europe. Citizens should be treated equally but also held to a high standard of citizenship. Roosevelt judges each nation by their conduct and that is why he is opposing Germany and Austria-Hungary. He admires German ideals but their conduct during the war has been deplorable. Roosevelt’s main concern is that the United States is prepared to do its duty and maintain the nation’s honor.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-01-19