In his article "Theodore Roosevelt," Edmund Morris argues that President Roosevelt's limitless energy and passionate sense of the nation allowed him to set the stage for the American century. In many respects, Morris demonstrates this to be true, as the greatness of Roosevelt appears to suggest that the President did set the foundation for the 20th century. His dynamism and intelligence blended in such a way that it created a certain greatness. To a large degree, Roosevelt appears to have represented the best of the United States, just as the U.S. took his best features and made them into national symbols.
Morris shows that Roosevelt was very much in love himself, and he had this disposition not so much for what he was as a person, but because he saw himself as an American. He symbolized what it meant to be an American patriot. In many respects, therefore, just as Lincoln defined what it meant to be an American in the 19th century, Morris believes that Roosevelt defined Americanism for the 20th century. The definition of nationalism, therefore, was very much developed by who Roosevelt was, rather than by what he said. Roosevelt was a man of action and his actions spoke very loudly. The action that Roosevelt engaged in became a symbol of Americanism.
Roosevelt, we see, was all about action. In many respects, this seems to explain the greatness of America, and in turn, the greatness of Roosevelt. America was about the idea of unrestrained individualism and freedom. People used their opportunity to build greatness. Roosevelt represented this tendency, and he made America what it was because of his dynamism, energy and call to action. His traits, therefore, symbolized America. At the same time, of course, America mirrored him as well. There appeared to be a cyclical process here. Perhaps the President and America helped to define each other. Morris does an excellent job in revealing this, especially in the way he gives a step by step sequence of the action that Roosevelt engaged in, as well as the philosophy that he articulated.
Morris refers to people who have made the observation that Roosevelt fused thought and action. This surely does mark the greatness of people. It is especially to one's credit when there is the combination of different strengths. It appears that with President Roosevelt, he was not only intelligent, but also physically powerful and psychologically smart. He was, therefore, able to excel in many different fields. Having so many diverse talents, he was able to lead his nations with greatness. It is the combination of these components that Roosevelt represented how greatness is the product of the fusion of different traits and talents.
Roosevelt worked very quickly and very hard. Yet it came easy to him. In this respect, he always seemed as if things came very simply to him, and yet it is clear from Morris's article that Roosevelt was a brilliant man. One could perhaps conclude that he also helped nurture the work ethic of Americans. Indeed, in working so hard, but at the same time showing that work was necessary as well as enjoyable, there was a certain message here that he sent out to the American public.
Morris sees greatness not only in character but also in policy. He points out that Roosevelt fathered the American navy and that he passed many important laws that set a significant foundation for the nation. Also, we see that he was also very much ahead of his time, as Morris points out that many of his actions took on larger significance in the future. The President saw the potential of trade with Asia, for instance, which only became a reality in the second half of the 20th century. In all of this, there is a lot of truth. Roosevelt was a great thinker, and in foreign policy and national affairs he had created many oft he ideas and policies on which future policies would be developed. In other words, he set the premise for more ideas.
Morris points out that if Roosevelt were alive today he would probably be shocked by the degradation of the American culture in general. There is a certain vulgarity and mediocrity now that simply didn't exist back then, and a certain tolerance of it as well. Roosevelt would obviously be shocked by this development. One could also presume that he would find the mediocrity of American society very distasteful.
Morris also points out that Roosevelt was against monopoly and would probably fight against it today. More than anything, he was a great individualist, and that is why he as a trust buster. True enough, he would most definitely have a tough time with the way corporate conglomerations exist today. He would most definitely see this reality as an invasion of competition and true individual rights.
Morris goes on to suggest that Roosevelt would try to protect the environment. This is because the was concerned with the cutting down of trees when he was young. This is a fair speculation to make, but it remains a speculation.
All in all, Morris appears to be quite fair and legitimate in understanding the President. One must note, however, that Morris appears to assume a lot of things. There is a certain arrogance about his writing that suggests that he was some kind of a confidant of Roosevelt's and knew his deepest thoughts. But Roosevelt lived long ago and Morris did not know him. To a large extent, in trying to understand a person of history, we must study him and make evaluations. But in the end, we cannot speak for the people we study, for they remain a mystery, just as all people do. Morris appears to project some of his own beliefs unto what he wants Roosevelt to have been. This seems somewhat dubious.
In the end, Roosevelt was definitely a great man and a tremendous President. Morris is right to suggest that he set the foundation for the 20th century. Morris is on more shaky territory when he tries to pretend he understands the inner workings of Roosevelt's psychology. This is for no one to decide.
Home