Theodore Roosevelt’s Statecraft and the American Rise to World Power

Theodore Roosevelt would come to symbolize the American rise to world power. This chapter traces how interpretations of Roosevelt’s statecraft have evolved since his death, reflecting the changing position of the United States in international affairs. It argues that, despite the plethora of material on America’s 26th president, scholars can continue to benefit from reviewing his diplomacy and foreign policy. Roosevelt’s activities, interests, and ideas ranged so broadly that, through studying him, one can learn much about the prejudices and passions that shaped this pivotal era in the nation’s history.