Theodore Roosevelt New Nationalism Summary

Roosevelt’s speech possessed a groundbreaking appeal. Theodore Roosevelt’s “New Nationalism
Speech” called for a revolution – a reform in the nations economy, policies and social justice, in particular
for those who were underprivileged. He called for an increase in federal power to regulate the interstate
industry. He strains on the need for a clear distinction between property rights and human rights in order
for the nation to prosper. If the country was to prosper internationally, Roosevelt stressed on the need of a
large Army and Navy capable to protect the nations interests abroad.
To be the “mightiest nation,” Roosevelt explained, the nation could not be divided, it couldn’t be
composed of “a dozen little squabbling contemptible commonwealths.”

The independence and democracy
of the Unites States depended on the unity of citizens. A unity gained by the victory of the Civil War but
whose lines were being blurred by the inequality among classes. To achieve equality meant to acquire
equal opportunity for all – opportunity gained by the destruction of privilege and giving “life and
citizenship of every individual the highest possible value both to himself and to the commonwealth.” [2]
An equality equal opportunity for all, a “new birth of freedom”, was to be gained by setting reforms on
the Corporation. Roosevelt proposed the creation of the Federal Bureau of Corporation. In alliance with
the Interstate Commerce Commission, these administrations could gradually raise taxes on the wealthy
corporates. “An increase in governmental control is necessary.” [3] It is necessary to confine and manage
the increase in power and wealth upon the small elite in the county formed by the people for the people.
These “special interests are too influential.” [4] To control their power and influence on legislation and
policy makers Roosevelt suggested a set of new laws strong enough to regulate and manage these
corporations. Strong state and even stronger Federal laws are what Roosevelt deemed right for the
regulation.
But the regulation of the national economy also required control over private life. In order to fulfill
government’s purpose of serving the welfare of the people, Roosevelt demands “a genuine and permanent
moral awakening.” The federal government needed to mold the American family and education to
guarantee Progressive results. He asked citizens to “lead with moral and material welfare” – to build a
house for their family and set a good example for the progress and prosperity of the nation to achieve the
nation’s “common interest.”
The United States was founded on the principle of democracy. According to Roosevelt, “the great
experiment of democratic government on a national scale should succeed and not fail.” [5] A failure meant
the struggle and sacrifice of the Founding Fathers and American to keep democracy over the years would
be in vain. On the day of his speech, Roosevelt commenced the people who worked and fought to keep
the element of democracy a reality rather than a failed experiment – they have “crowned Washington’s
work.” If the element of democracy failed within American boarders, the aspirations of other nations to
possess such system dies with it. One must keep the flame of democracy burning for the good of the
nation – in honor of those who died to keep the flame lit.
To better fuel the flame, the nation must expand itself across its boarders. To secure the country’s
financial system and the value of the dollar globally an “efficient army and navy [that is] large enough”
was required to secure the country abroad according to Roosevelt. Moreover, Roosevelt specified how a
system composed of just and fair dealing within the country and a strong military force to peacefully
secure “Uncle Sam’s interests abroad,” would create a force of both security and international market
leverage benefiting the country.
With the right laws, proper administration of those laws and high moral citizenship the country will
propel itself forward.
2. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New
Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 4. Web. 13 June 2016.
3. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 7. Web. 13 June 2016.
4. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 7. Web. 13 June 2016.
5. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching American
History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 2. Web. 13 June 2016.

During the time Roosevelt gave his speech, it is clear by his words that the nation suffers a great problem
of inequality. This inequality is different than the inequality faced between slaves and their masters. In a
sense, it is a type of modern slavery. The country has a specific small group controlling a disadvantaged
majority group. Roosevelt calls for a reform on the corporations. There is a class difference substantially
noticeable to where the policies governing the corporations need to be revised. The corporations have
been able to gain their tremendous wealth and power by the unequal value exchange between their profits
to their labors. Without giving a monetary earning difference between the corporates and the laborer, it is
up to the reader (or listener) of the speech to infer just how big of an economic gap needed to exist in
order for a politician to call upon change.
According to the speech, both groups need to take action to better change the inequality in the nation.
Capitalist need higher regards towards the labor which generates its wealth – “Labor is the superior to the
capital.” [6] This is an era where the laborer is highly undervalued. An era where the wealthy and powerful
live day-by-day without reflection of their workers. Child labor laws don’t apply to their children –
children who are in a safe home rather than working in a dangerous environment under dangerous
conditions to financially aid the family.

The fear of losing a child to the dangers of the factory are
unknown to the elite. They are so occupied with one’s private affairs they fail to acknowledge their
empire depends on the commoner. Corporates are the privileged self-centered part of this era’s society.
As far as the actions needed by the working man to help change the nation’s inequality, he should
acknowledge property as a desirable positive good to be obtained by “the fruit of labor.” [7] The speech
emphasizes how hard work pays off. Two conclusions can be derived from the speech without outside
knowledge: either the working man does not work hard enough to have obtained the desired property or
the hardworking man possesses a certain disadvantage where his hard work is not being paid off. Either
derivation needs to be substantially significant to create enough concern where it is addressed in a
presidential candidate’s speech. My guess would be that laborers are not being paid enough for their
work. I can only imagine the frustration in the people’s hearts who are being told “hard work pays

off.”
Frustration from having to work long hard hours without a desired gain. How can the working man
progress forward if the game is set against him?
For both side, Roosevelt argues the moderation on selfish materialistic spending needs to stop form the
corporates and the working classmen. According to Roosevelt, this type of spending imposes the progress
of equality among the nation. There is clearly a gap of spending capabilities between the working man
and the Corporate – just like income and social standing. It is unfair and uncalled for to tell the poor to
restrain themselves from materialistic spending, even when there is the slight possibility to do so.
The Nation must not restrain themselves to expansion though. Roosevelt’s speech calls for an expansion
across the United States boarders. The world looks up to the United States and the United States knows
this. Roosevelt feels the need to show off the “greatness” of the country. A superficial greatness because
the majority of the country fears and suffers from “periodical financial panics.” Roosevelt is aware the
“financial panics” are unaware to other nations. And he plans to keep it that way because the United
States represents an ideal figure to the world. Roosevelt states “there is no reason why we should suffer
what they escape,” the running from financial weakness in their countries. It makes me wonder what the
standard of living around the world was like during the era. Compared to the Nation, the standard must
have been considerably low for other nations citizens to approach them for “financial strength.”
The country has moved to from the slave and the plantation system to the common worker and the factory
system. With this new system, new inequalities and disadvantages have occurred for a major minority
group. The Nation is once again divided.
6. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 3. Web. 13 June 2016.
7. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 3.

Web. 13 June 2016.

The biggest misleading statement is in regard to the government needing more power on a state and
Federal level to protect the interest of the people. The Founding Fathers and Lincoln himself believed
there should be a separation in powers to avoid a central unity to govern. As far as what constitutes to too
much power, it is not clearly defined in our documents. This leads to a doorway of interpretations –
interpretations where leaders of the country can miss use the power for their own self-interests.
How long would it take the government to free itself from “the sinister influence of control of special
interests?” [8] A year? Three years? Ten years? Never – the problems keep evolving? Roosevelt does not
explicitly state who long it would take to free itself (an estimated guess would have been just fine) not
does he every clearly referees as to who are these “special interests.” By the context and era of the paper I
will infer they are the Corporation.
To achieve equality, “special interest” groups were intended to show “complete and effective publicity”
of their corporate affairs. [9] I questioned the ability to have achieved the publication of the

corporate
affairs so freely, widely, publicly from coast to coast in a clear manner that the common labor would
understand.
Corporates have “supplied one of the principal sources of corruption in our political affairs.” [10] What are
the other sources, sources that could possibly include the law officers? How would they be held
responsible if they were caught committing a crime? Corporates are not the only ones at fault. Roosevelt
askes of nothing to the Corporate or law enforcers. The only common private element Roosevelt enforces
on all citizens is to lead with moral value. Leading with moral value brings a couple of problems on its
own. Our morality differs from person to person, from age to age from gender to gender and from
working class to working class. It is not ideal to lead and set an example of pure morality for the entire
nation. As people, we should live with our morality but have just and correct laws to support the justice of
society. There is a reason why Lady Justice is blindfolded – she is blind to her job. She finds true justice
by turning a blind eye on morality and relying only on logic to carry out her justice. In order to bring true
justice and judgement one must find a balance between logic and morality as an individual achieve a
balance between justice and judgment. However, as a nation one must lead logically.
Logic imposes the understanding of law – for logic is law. “Political action must be made simpler, easier,
and freer from the confusion for every citizen.” [11] We need people to understand the law not overly
simplify it to where it is taken as a joke or exploited by all. It is best to educate the people and have them
understand so they know how the laws function and affect them.
A more compelling account for the era would be one that involves data. If the differences of the
Corporate and the laborer were put in signs of dollars, I would be more easily convinced between the
differences of the wealthy and he elite. It would not only possibly convince me but also help paint a
picture of the gap between the two social classes. To further aid Roosevelts arguments about the
difference in class, I would have liked to read about the middle class. What are their particular struggles?
How big is the class in relation to the other two classes? What kind of people make up the middle class?
And why is it so hard to move from poverty to the middle?
The children of the working classmen are briefly mentioned in reforms for child labor. Roosevelt could
have provided a detailed description of their working conditions to justify for the reform. As far as
women go, there is a strong feminine progressive movement occurring at the time and Roosevelt
mentions none of it. He talks about moving forward and progressing as country but his worlds are limited
to men – men of the Corporates and working men.
8. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching
American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 6. Web. 13 June 2016.
10. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 5. Web. 13 June 2016.
9. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching
American History.
American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 6. Web. 13 June 2016.
11. Theodore, Roosevelt, "New Nationalism Speech | Teaching American History," Teaching
American History.
Ashbrook Center at Ashland University, 12. Web. 13 June 2016.