Difference between revisions of "Elihu Root"
m (Text replacement - "title=United States Secretary of State" to "title=US/Secretary of State") |
(Root doctrine) |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
|birth_date=1845-02-15 | |birth_date=1845-02-15 | ||
|death_date=1937-02-07 | |death_date=1937-02-07 | ||
| − | |constitutes=Lawyer, Politician | + | |constitutes=Lawyer, Deep Politician |
|spouses=Clara Frances Wales | |spouses=Clara Frances Wales | ||
|alma_mater=Hamilton College, New York University School of Law | |alma_mater=Hamilton College, New York University School of Law | ||
| Line 27: | Line 27: | ||
}} | }} | ||
}} | }} | ||
| − | '''Elihu Root''' was a senior figure in the development of US law. | + | '''Elihu Root''' was a senior figure in the development of US law, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and politician. |
==Activities== | ==Activities== | ||
Root was an important figure in the introduction of the global prohibition of [[drugs]]. | Root was an important figure in the introduction of the global prohibition of [[drugs]]. | ||
| + | |||
| + | ==The Root Doctrine== | ||
| + | The overarching rationale for accepting and sustaining rightwing dictatorships was written by Root in [[1922]]. Root justified support for right-wing dictatorships in [[Latin America]] with the argument that the populace in the victim country was incapable of [[democratic]] rule. They hadn't learned the knack of it. But no matter: the [[Italians]] had undertaken to govern themselves without having learned the knack of it, Root averred, singling [[Mussolini]] out for praise as the man of the hour, under whose dictatorship [[Italy]] had experienced a revival of prosperity, contentment, and happiness.<ref>http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Terrorism/RootDoctrine_STATUS.html</ref> | ||
| + | |||
| + | He described the "right of selfprotection" in a presidential address to an audience at the [[American Society of International Law]]. The former U.S. secretary of state proclaimed the sovereign right of a state to take early action to "prevent a condition of affairs in which it will be too late to protect itself." | ||
| + | |||
| + | Washington's support for rightwing dictators during the [[Cold War]] was a continuation, an elongation and an intensification of this policy, which placed the fear of [[communism]], [[socialism]], and the spread of disorder as the centerpiece of its formulation. [[The Cold War]] demanded new and expanded tactics, approaches, and procedures, but the ideological basis and fundamental assumptions remained remarkably consistent. | ||
| + | |||
| + | It seems reasonable to presume that the Root Doctrine has been operational throughout United States history, both long before its articulation and to this very day. Prior to the [[Spanish American War]], the United States carried out 103 interventions; between the end of that war and the [[Great Depression]], it sent troops to [[Latin America]] 32 times. In any case, the Root Doctrine would soon become bipartisan, and it was touted as being more cost-effective than invasions. | ||
| + | |||
{{SMWDocs}} | {{SMWDocs}} | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
{{reflist}} | {{reflist}} | ||
| − | |||
Revision as of 10:05, 26 January 2021
 Elihu Root      (Lawyer, Deep Politician) | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 1845-02-15 Clinton, New York |
| Died | 1937-02-07 (Age 91) New York |
| Alma mater | Hamilton College, New York University School of Law |
| Spouse | Clara Frances Wales |
| Founder of | Carnegie Corporation |
| Member of | American Liberty League, Corsair Club, Council on Foreign Relations/Historical Members, Phi Beta Kappa, The Pilgrims Society |
| Party | Republican |
| Relatives | • Oren Root I • father • Oren Root II • brother |
Elihu Root was a senior figure in the development of US law, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, and politician.
Activities
Root was an important figure in the introduction of the global prohibition of drugs.
The Root Doctrine
The overarching rationale for accepting and sustaining rightwing dictatorships was written by Root in 1922. Root justified support for right-wing dictatorships in Latin America with the argument that the populace in the victim country was incapable of democratic rule. They hadn't learned the knack of it. But no matter: the Italians had undertaken to govern themselves without having learned the knack of it, Root averred, singling Mussolini out for praise as the man of the hour, under whose dictatorship Italy had experienced a revival of prosperity, contentment, and happiness.[1]
He described the "right of selfprotection" in a presidential address to an audience at the American Society of International Law. The former U.S. secretary of state proclaimed the sovereign right of a state to take early action to "prevent a condition of affairs in which it will be too late to protect itself."
Washington's support for rightwing dictators during the Cold War was a continuation, an elongation and an intensification of this policy, which placed the fear of communism, socialism, and the spread of disorder as the centerpiece of its formulation. The Cold War demanded new and expanded tactics, approaches, and procedures, but the ideological basis and fundamental assumptions remained remarkably consistent.
It seems reasonable to presume that the Root Doctrine has been operational throughout United States history, both long before its articulation and to this very day. Prior to the Spanish American War, the United States carried out 103 interventions; between the end of that war and the Great Depression, it sent troops to Latin America 32 times. In any case, the Root Doctrine would soon become bipartisan, and it was touted as being more cost-effective than invasions.
