Theodore Roosevelt and the Military

A panel moderated by Harry Lembeck, featuring Dr. Justus Doenecke, Dr. James R. Reckner, and Dr. Allan R. Millett.

The Theodore Roosevelt Association, the Reserve Officers Association of Washington, D.C., and the Pritzker Military Museum & Library of Chicago are pleased to present three distinguished historians and scholars in a forum examining Theodore Roosevelt and the American Military.

Keenly foreseeing America’s role as the world power of the 20th century, observing the competition between Great Britain and Germany to be the nation to dominate the seas with the world’s largest and most powerful navy, and very much aware of the expansionary determination of the Japanese Empire and its military strength to support this goal, President Roosevelt crafted a foreign policy to protect America and her interests. To back up this foreign policy, he knew the country needed a fortified military. With strong fighting forces of its own, the nation could deal with a foreign foe flexing its own muscles. Better - and safer - yet, a nation whose interests conflicted with our own, would think twice before committing its army and navy against us. As he usually did, Roosevelt expressed this combined foreign/military policy in a way all would understand: Speak softly and carry a big stick. For Roosevelt, a big stick was a metaphor for the American armed forces..

The panel, moderated by Harry Lembeck, will explore the famous Great White Fleet, Roosevelts's reformation of the U.S. Army, and the American build up to World War I. Panelists include:
Dr. Justus Doenecke, Emeritus Professor of History, New College of Florida, Sarasota, Florida 
Dr. James R. Reckner, Professor Emeritus of History at Texas Tech University
Dr. Allan R. Millett, Stephen E. Ambrose Professor of History at the Universtiy of New Orleans