Latin America and the United States Addresses by Elihu Root

This volume brings together the public addresses and official papers of a leading American statesman who served as Secretary of War, Secretary of State, and later as a senator. Listeners will hear his clear, principled explanations of constitutional duties, the need for legal reform, and the foundations of American military organization after the Spanish‑American War. Interwoven with these speeches are the documents that shaped policies in Cuba, the Philippines and Puerto Rico, offering a rare glimpse of the thinking behind landmark legislation.

The collection also captures the historic 1906 diplomatic tour of South America, where he promoted a new “Root doctrine” of goodwill and mutual responsibility among Western nations. His remarks from that journey reveal a thoughtful approach to Pan‑American relations, balancing national interests with a genuine desire for cooperation. For anyone curious about early‑20th‑century U.S. politics, law, and international affairs, these talks provide both context and insight straight from the man who helped craft them.