Monroe doctrine

President Roosevelt writes to Joseph Gurney Cannon, Chairman of the Notification Committee, to formally accept his nomination as the Republican presidential candidate and to approve the platform adopted by the Republican National Convention. In the letter, Roosevelt provides a comprehensive defense of his foreign and domestic policies and outlines what he believes are the major differences between the Republican and Democratic parties in the upcoming election. Roosevelt discusses, among other topics, his position on international relations, antitrust legislation, tariffs, the gold standard, pensions for Civil War veterans, the military, civil service, commerce, agriculture, taxation, and self-government in the Philippines.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-09-12

President Roosevelt was distressed at Representative Burton’s speech regarding the navy. He argues that a strong navy, including naval fortifications, is required for the United States to maintain its position across the globe.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1904-02-23

President Roosevelt would like to meet with Whitelaw Reid after Reid returns from the Adirondacks. He notes that they share similar views regarding the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-07-24

Ambassador Sternburg has suggested that the Great Powers form a “syndicate” to take possession of Venezuelan finances and prevent future European expeditions to collect debts. President Roosevelt did not provide a full answer but expressed his doubts that the American people would support such a system, especially since it would seem to conflict with the general interpretation of the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1903-03-13

President Roosevelt is pleased that the Venezuelan crisis will be handled by the Hague tribunal and that no European nation was able to gain a territorial foothold on the pretext of debt collection.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-29

With the ongoing Venezuelan crisis in mind, President Roosevelt would like to discuss the Monroe Doctrine with George Wheeler Hinman. Roosevelt’s goals in working towards a solution are allowing the collection of an honest debt and preventing European nations from using debt collection to gain a territorial foothold.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-29

President Roosevelt is pleased that the concerned powers accepted the Hague tribunal for arbitration. Roosevelt would have served as arbitrator if he believed the Monroe Doctrine would be threatened.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-29

President Roosevelt thanks Dr. Abbott for the copy of the act and would like to speak to him regarding the Venezuelan crisis, the Hague tribunal, and the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-27

The various governments involved in the Venezuelan crisis have accepted arbitration by the Hague court. President Roosevelt was willing to arbitrate, primarily due to concerns over the Monroe Doctrine, but believes the acceptance of arbitration at the Hague to be a great triumph.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-26

President Roosevelt compares his actions defending the Monroe Doctrine and attempting to solve the Venezuelan crisis to the actions Grover Cleveland took towards Venezuela while President. Roosevelt hopes that Cleveland will be satisfied that Great Britain and Germany have recognized the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1902-12-26

President Roosevelt supports the Monroe Doctrine and wants South America to “develop on its own lines, with an open door to all outside nations.” He wishes that the same policy could be applied to China. Roosevelt is saddened by England’s military “decay” and wonders if the Franco-Russian alliance will be permanent.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1901-10-11

Assistant Secretary of the Navy Roosevelt discusses various national and international reasons why the Navy Department should steadily, yet rapidly, build up the Navy. He reasons that “a great navy does not make for war, but for peace.” Roosevelt lists actionable steps Congress and the Department can take. 

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1897-09-30

Senator Lodge’s amendment to the arbitration treaties will allow the United States to ignore any question it does not want to arbitrate as if the treaty did not exist. It is predicated upon the assumption that the president and Senate would never submit certain issues to arbitration, such as the Monroe Doctrine.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1912-01-13

Frank E. McMillin tells Theodore Roosevelt that he believes President William H. Taft’s policies have ruined businesses over the last four years. McMillin praises the Panama Canal and insists that the next president must be prepared to utilize it wisely and strongly for the good of the American people. McMillin believes Roosevelt is the only candidate fit to be the Republican nominee.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-12-13

William Alex. Sutherland thanks Theodore Roosevelt for his response regarding a manuscript titled The Daydreams of Asia, Europe, and America, and discusses the challenges of publishing in India. He expresses hope that the book may be of interest to American readers due to its political and cultural insights, particularly on India’s global role, Anglo-American heritage, and future world events.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-09-07

Senator Lodge enjoyed seeing Theodore Roosevelt, despite the naturalists, but cannot visit again until the fall. He is continuing to work on the language and amendments to the arbitration treaties. Lodge sees dangers in allowing arbitration on some issues, such as the Monroe Doctrine. He does not see the treaty passing in its current form and is working with Senator Root on a report explaining the treaty and amendments.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-12

Admiral Mahan comments on the articles of the Treaty of General Arbitration with Great Britain.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-08-11

Samuel V. Leech believes Theodore Roosevelt’s previous statements about the Monroe Doctrine are correct, and that President William H. Taft’s inclination towards international arbitration would be taken advantage of by European powers. Leech especially feels that international arbitration would upset American citizens if it allowed more Japanese and Chinese immigrants to settle on the Pacific coast, where he lives now. He recommends Roosevelt have a copy of The Encyclopedic Dictionary of American History, as it provides a good summary of the Monroe Doctrine, among other topics.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-07-05

Senator Rayner recently referred to a treatise by Theodore Roosevelt on the Monroe Doctrine but was vague about any publication details. Erastus Brainerd asks Roosevelt whether he has written any such treatise.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-05-02

Creator(s)

Brainerd, Erastus, 1855-1922

Howard H. Ridgaway and his students ask Theodore Roosevelt what the United States has done to promote universal peace and if the Monroe Doctrine has been an obstacle.

Collection

Library of Congress Manuscript Division

Creation Date

1911-04-22