Teddy+Roosevelt+Primary+Document+Discussion+Questions

//**Before you read:**// 1. Based on what you know already about Roosevelt, why would he call imperialism “manly”?
 * Source #1 - “Governor Theodore Roosevelt Praises the Manly Virtues of Imperialism," 1899**

//**After reading:**// 2. How does Roosevelt compare the United States to China?

3. Near the bottom of page 90, Roosevelt says “We cannot avoid the responsibilities that confront us in Hawaii, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. All we can decide now is whether we shall meet them in a way that will redound to the national credit, or whether we shall make of our dealings with these new problems a dark and shameful page in our history.” What do you think Roosevelt meant by this? How would opponents of imperialism argue against what Roosevelt is saying here.

4. Why does Roosevelt equate the “timid man, the lazy man” as one who distrusts his country?

5. Why do you think Roosevelt has even less patience for those who argue against imperializing the Philippines on humanitarian grounds?

6. Do you see this kind of ideology present today in the current (or recent) U.S. administrations? Why or why not?

7. What do you think the first line of this document means?
 * Source #2: "The Roosevelt Corollary Makes the United States the Police of Latin America," 1904**

8. Why do you think Roosevelt says that at times, the U.S. must act as a police force “reluctantly”?

9. Under what conditions do you think Roosevelt might deem it necessary for the U.S. to “interfere” with the affairs of a South American nation?

10. Do you believe the U.S. has the duty to act as a “police force” as described by Roosevelt? Why or why not? What are the modern-day implications of this type of action? (i.e. What would it look like if the U.S. were to adhere to this policy as Roosevelt described it?)

11. Why do you believe Roosevelt calls conservation the “weightiest problem now before the Nation”?
 * Source #3: "President Theodore Roosevelt Preaches Conservation and Efficiency," 1908**

12. Why does Roosevelt use the analogy of a family using a milk cow to get by in relation to conservation?

13. What makes this ideology that Roosevelt is putting forth so radical for this time period?