17. Jan. 9, 1915-May 1, 1916: War and Peace

President Theodore Roosevelt (1858-1919) was a prolific writer of books, articles, and especially letters, and received as much mail as he sent. His correspondents ranged from heads of states to average Americans and covered a wide range of topics. Discover what Roosevelt and his correspondents had to say about the issues of their day.

As the war continued in Europe, T. R. found it difficult to remain silent about American neutrality. In January 1915, he published America and the World War, the content of which set him in opposition to the Wilson administration. A different conflict demanded his attention in April 1915, as the trial began in a libel case brought against T. R. by a New York politician, which the jury ultimately decided in T. R.’s favor. In speeches, his column in Metropolitan magazine, and other writings, T. R. continued to urge American military preparedness. His 1916 book of articles, Fear God and Take Your Own Part, became a best-seller, and supporters in the Republican and Progressive parties began to talk about T. R. as a possible candidate in the 1916 presidential election.