# Theodore Roosevelt — The Great Illusion character guide

> Theodore Roosevelt in The Great Illusion by Norman Angell.

**Role:** supporting

**Also known as:** Mr. Roosevelt, ex-President Roosevelt, Roosevelt

**First appearance:** 0003-the-great-illusion

## Snapshot

Former American president whose militarism and imperial confidence represent the habits of mind Angell's economic case is written against.

## Who they are

Roosevelt appears among the influential figures whose assumptions about national greatness and force Angell seeks to unsettle. His presence signals that the illusion of war's profitability is not confined to European chancelleries but flourishes in popular Anglo-American opinion. For the reader, he embodies the respectable, energetic worldview that Angell must show to be built on a miscalculation.

## Relationships

### [Norman Angell](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/norman_angell)

_rivalry_

Roosevelt championed military strength and 'the strenuous life,' directly opposing Angell's anti-war economic arguments.

### [Moltke](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/moltke)

_professional_

Both were military figures, with Moltke's strategic writings likely influencing or being compared to Roosevelt's views on war.

### [Baron Karl von Stengel](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/baron_karl_von_stengel)

_professional_

Both were advocates of national power, with Stengel's German militarism resonating with Roosevelt's imperialist stance.

### [John M. Robertson](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/john_m_robertson)

_rivalry_

Robertson, a liberal rationalist, likely criticized Roosevelt's aggressive foreign policy and militarism.

## In the story

### [The Axioms of Modern Statecraft](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/ii-the-axioms-of-modern-statecraft)

Listed among those from Aristotle to the German Emperor who have left no doubt about the premises of statecraft.

### [Foreign Trade and Military Power](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/v-foreign-trade-and-military-power)

Mentioned in the context of a correspondent's question about Japan's advantages from victories.

### [The Psychological Case for War](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/i-the-psychological-case-for-war)

Quoted from speeches and writings, expressing the view that war is necessary to acquire virile qualities and that nations must perform deeds of blood and valor.

### [Unchanging Human Nature](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/iii-unchanging-human-nature)

Quoted on the necessity of resenting insults to national honor, which Angell contrasts with the extinction of the duel.

### [IV: Do the Warlike Nations Inherit the Earth?](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/iv-do-the-warlike-nations-inherit-the-earth)

His phrase about 'war alone' developing necessary qualities is cited as a central militarist argument that the chapter seeks to refute.

### [The Diminishing Factor of Physical Force: Psychological Results](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/v-the-diminishing-factor-of-physical-force-psychological-results)

Quoted as an example of the 'rule of thumb' approach to policy, advocating being 'moderately' peaceful or warlike, which the author criticizes as verbal mystification.

### [I: The Relation of Defence to Aggression](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/i-the-relation-of-defence-to-aggression)

Mentioned as a critic (implied) who fails to grasp the platitude underlying the relation of defence to aggression.

### [IV: Methods](https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/chapters/iv-methods)

Mentioned indirectly through the reference to President Wilson's lobbyists, though not directly named in this excerpt.

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters/theodore_roosevelt
- Book: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se
- All characters: https://www.betterreads.dev/discover/the_great_illusion_se/characters