German Americans

President Roosevelt praises General Winkler for his conduct while attending a state visit by Prince Heinrich of Prussia. Roosevelt had invited several prominent German Americans to meet Prince Heinrich and especially wanted Winkler to attend. Roosevelt criticized other attendees, including Carl Schurz, for showing too much deference to the Prince and speaking to him only in German. Winkler, however, spoke in English and treated him as he would any prominent foreigner regardless of royal birth. Roosevelt considered this an example to all Americans.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1909-03-01

President Roosevelt tells William M. Sweeny that his Irish ancestors came to Pennsylvania early in the seventeenth century, and he describes what he knows of his genealogy. Roosevelt describes his ancestors as humble people.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-16

President Roosevelt greets the German scholars visiting the University of Chicago and acknowledges the United States’ debt to German immigrants who fought in the Revolutionary War and the Civil War. Roosevelt praises “German ideals and German science” for their influence on methods of research and investigation in American universities and is gratified to see the strong friendship between German and American scholars.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-03-18

President Roosevelt thanks Julius Goebel for dedicating his book on the contributions of German Americans to him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-01-02

President Roosevelt has received several letters expressing concern about General MacArthur’s statements regarding war with Germany and the lack of patriotism among German Americans. Roosevelt asks if it would be wise to release the correspondence between Governor Carter and MacArthur.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-12-28

According to a newspaper article read by President Roosevelt, 105 German American sailors deserted while the American squadron was in Kiel, Germany. Roosevelt would like to know the truth of the story.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-07

Hugo Munsterberg welcomes the new Roosevelt administration and hopes for peaceful relations between Germany and the United States under President Roosevelt’s leadership.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-09-20

Edward G. Halle reminds Theodore Roosevelt of his visit to Chicago on February 22nd, where they spoke about how German-Americans of Chicago would appreciate having Roosevelt address them. Halle refers to German-Americans as those extracted from Germany and who have been Roosevelt’s loyal friends. Halle invites Roosevelt to address them on the 27th of January of the following year on the Germania Maennerchor on the celebration of the Emperor’s birthday as this would leave a lasting impact on 15 million people in the United States. The Emperor of Germany is Roosevelt’s friend and speaking on his birthday would cement a lasting friendship among the peoples of both countries. The Germans of Chicago are building a hospital, if Roosevelt consents to an address the laying of the cornerstone will be deferred until that date to give an opportunity to the masses to see him. Halle would appreciate it if Roosevelt would consider the pleasure of addressing the 600,000 Americans of German extraction living in Chicago as it would be a historical moment in their lives.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-10-19

Charles Neumeyer, the editor of the Louisville Anzeiger, asks Theodore Roosevelt to contribute to a special edition of the newspaper in honor of “German Day.”

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-15

Representative Longworth encloses a letter from his friend August Herrmann, a political player in Cincinnati. Longworth notes that Germans constitute a large voting block in Cincinnati, and are currently disgruntled over temperance legislation. Roosevelt could win them back over to the Republicans if he says a word on the subject suggested by Herrmann.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1908-05-07

William J. Matheson tells William Loeb that his German-American chemist friends, whom he brought along with him to visit President Roosevelt, were very impressed with Roosevelt and now intend to vote for him.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

Marcus Braun expresses disappointment that President Roosevelt will not record his voice for the gramophone archive of Berlin and addresses other issues in William Loeb’s letter. Braun also informs Loeb of the various Republican Leagues he has formed in order to organize voters for the upcoming election. Braun recommends that Loeb organize the foreign press bureau and suggests hiring Max Stern to ensure as many voters as possible turn out for Roosevelt.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-07-08

In an e-mail interview with Gregory A. Wynn of the Theodore Roosevelt Association, John M. Thompson, author of Great Power Rising: Theodore Roosevelt and the Politics of U.S. Foreign Policy, discusses his personal background, his decision to write about Theodore Roosevelt, and the sources he used in completing his study. Thompson also details Roosevelt’s careful cultivation of the press, especially newspaper reporters, and he asserts that Roosevelt mastered the process of cultivating support for his foreign policy in the domestic arena. Thompson also notes Roosevelt’s efforts to win the support of German-Americans, and he offers his opinions about the shortcomings in Roosevelt’s record as a diplomat.

A photograph of Thompson and the front cover illustration of Great Power Rising supplement the text of the interview.

Collection

Theodore Roosevelt Association Journal

Theodore Roosevelt responds to Frederick H. Schwan’s suggestion that he should modify his statements about Belgium in order to ensure votes from Irishmen and Germans. Roosevelt asserts the importance of voting as an American above all else. Roosevelt is not seeking nomination but is “vitally interested” in the welfare of the United States.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1916-04-15

Theodore Roosevelt speaks out about “the Hun within our gates”, or German Americans he says are helping Germany from within the United States. Roosevelt says the term Hun was attributed to the German forces by William II himself and that it matches the atrocities committed by the German military in Europe and Asia. He gives examples of the Huns within our gates, particularly pacifists, and compares them to the “Copperheads” of the Civil War era. He calls for all Americans, regardless of ethnic origins, to unite under one flag and one language.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-27

Theodore Roosevelt questions American immigrants’ loyalty to the country during the World War. He accuses politicians of not wanting to enter the war in order to appease German voters and accuses “pacifists” that support Germany as traitors. He calls for allegiance to America by anyone living in the country and lists several examples of German-born Americans who are loyal citizens. He calls for universal service as an act of patriotism.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-07-04

Theodore Roosevelt praises the Armed Forces and veterans of the Civil War. He also praises Father Edward Vattmann and other speakers of the evening as proud examples of loyal Americans with German ancestry. He calls for all of the various ethnic groups in America to come together under one language and one flag and condemns pacifists and anti-war politicians like Senator Robert M. La Follette. Roosevelt says all able-bodied men should join the fight and that America needs to be better prepared for war in the future.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-26

Theodore Roosevelt speaks on the nature of conscientious objectors during World War I. He says that the majority of objectors are either lazy or pro-German and gives arguments for why religious groups like the Society of Friends should participate in the war. He says that true objectors can still serve in other capacities. He calls for more representation of working men and farmers in Washington and for universal military service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-28

Printed copy of Theodore Roosevelt’s speech in Minneapolis released to newspapers. Roosevelt speaks on the nature of conscientious objectors during World War I. He says that the majority of objectors are either lazy or pro-German and gives arguments for why religious groups like the Society of Friends should participate in the war. He says that true objectors can still serve in other capacities. He calls for more representation of working men and farmers in Washington and for universal military service.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1917-09-28

Theodore Roosevelt says that all Americans must be loyal to their country, regardless of their ethnic background or home country. He calls anyone who does not have undivided loyalty a traitor. He says the United States must continue to fight hard in the world war and make every effort to “speed up” the war. Note: This speech was not delivered due to sickness.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1918-02-09