| dc.description.abstract | In the latter decades of the nineteenth century, reformers across the nation looked to study, understand, and resolve the major political, social, economic, and moral issues gripping the nation. This study uncovers the rather unlikely progressive credentials of a highly influential lawyer, diplomat, and statesman, Elihu Root. Contemporary critics and political opponents unfairly categorized him as a conservative, and callous corporate lawyer who opposed the Progressive movement at every turn. This inaccurate characterization unduly influenced historical conceptions of the Root and his legacy. On the contrary, Root modernized, reformed, and advanced progressive institutions at home and abroad. Root recognized the growing need for reform, accountability, and efficiency of public institutions, while also promoting an individual responsibility need for education, morality, and self-restraint. Elite lawyers such as Root formed a significant majority of progressive reformers who sought restore public trust in civil government, depoliticize civil service appointments, destroy political machines, ensure the sanctity of the ballot, increase legal access for the poor, promote campaign finance reform, enact corporate and inheritance taxes, and bust trusts. Root devoted his public career to carrying out the public good and uplifting society. Though Root¿s domestic reform agenda mirrored the efforts of his progressive counterparts, what set him apart was the fact he transplanted these progressive ideals into reforms into America foreign policy. Since progressives empowered the government to resolve domestic concerns, it only makes sense they used the full force of Washington to solve problems that confronted the globe. He represented a minority of internationally progressive lawyer-diplomats who sought to bring order to the interactions of states, reduce global conflicts, and introduce worldwide institutions comprised of more nations than ever before. He promoted American involvement in international institutions well before the creation of the League of Nations and developed many of the concepts that later comprised part of the United Nations created nearly a decade after his death. Presidents of both parties and numerous secretaries of state worked with Root to secure progressive international policies, ranging from the creation of the World Court to international policies of disarmament. | |
