Elihu Root, American lawyer and politician, 38th United States Secretary of State, Nobel Prize laureate (b. 1845)

Elihu Root: A Prototypical Statesman of the Early 20th Century

Elihu Root (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) was an influential American figure, renowned as a distinguished lawyer, a prominent Republican politician, and an accomplished statesman. His extensive career spanned critical periods of American history in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, during which he held significant cabinet positions as Secretary of State and Secretary of War. Beyond his executive roles, Root also served as a United States Senator representing New York and was the recipient of the prestigious 1912 Nobel Peace Prize. Often cited as the quintessential "wise man" of 20th-century American politics, Root was a trusted advisor to multiple presidents, offering insightful counsel on a broad spectrum of both foreign and domestic policy matters.

A Career Bridging Private Practice and Public Service

Root's professional life was characterized by a unique fluidity between a highly successful private legal practice in New York City and demanding high-level appointed government positions in Washington, D.C. As a leading New York City lawyer, he specialized in corporate law, representing major corporations and powerful industrialists of the era, including the steel magnate Andrew Carnegie. His deep connections and legal acumen extended into significant philanthropic endeavors; Root notably served as president or chairman for key Carnegie-founded institutions, including the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, dedicated to fostering global cooperation; the Carnegie Institution of Washington, a prominent organization for scientific research; and the Carnegie Corporation of New York, a major philanthropic foundation.

A Stance on Suffrage

Despite his progressive contributions in many areas, Elihu Root held conservative views on social issues of his time. He was a prominent opponent of women's suffrage and actively worked to uphold existing constitutional provisions, notably within the New York state constitution, that restricted voting rights exclusively to men.

Transforming the Military as Secretary of War (1899–1904)

From 1899 to 1904, Elihu Root served as Secretary of War under Presidents William McKinley and Theodore Roosevelt, a period marked by the United States' emergence as a global power following the Spanish-American War. In this role, he was tasked with administering the new colonial possessions acquired during the conflict, particularly the Philippines and Cuba, as well as Puerto Rico. Root advocated for a paternalistic approach to colonial governance, emphasizing the application of American technology, engineering expertise, and principles of disinterested public service to guide the development of these territories. His legislative efforts were crucial in shaping the legal framework for their administration, including:

Beyond colonial administration, Root was a staunch proponent of the construction of the Panama Canal, recognizing its strategic importance for global trade and naval projection, and a vocal advocate for the Open Door Policy, aimed at ensuring equal trading opportunities in China. Crucially, Root undertook a profound modernization of the United States Army, transforming it from a loosely organized force into a professional military apparatus capable of rivaling the best in Europe. His landmark reforms included:

Diplomacy and International Arbitration as Secretary of State (1905–1909)

After a brief interlude in private life, Root returned to public service, rejoining the Roosevelt administration as Secretary of State from 1905 to 1909. In this capacity, his focus shifted to foreign policy and international relations. He embarked on a significant modernization of the consular service, moving away from a system based on political patronage towards one rooted in merit and professionalism. Root also diligently promoted friendly relations with Latin American nations, fostering Pan-American solidarity. He played a key role in resolving diplomatic frictions with Japan, particularly concerning the contentious issue of unskilled worker immigration to the U.S. West Coast, through delicate negotiations that helped avert a major crisis. A crowning achievement of his tenure was the negotiation of 24 bilateral international arbitration treaties, which laid critical groundwork for the peaceful resolution of international disputes and directly contributed to the eventual creation of the Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ), a precursor to today's International Court of Justice.

Later Career: Senatorial Influence and World Affairs

Upon his election to the United States Senate, Elihu Root emerged as a conservative yet influential supporter of President William Howard Taft. He played a central role in Taft's unsuccessful bid for a second term at the contentious 1912 Republican National Convention, highlighting his deep involvement in party politics. By 1916, as the shadow of World War I loomed large, Root became a leading proponent of military preparedness, anticipating the eventual entry of the United States into the global conflict. In 1917, President Woodrow Wilson dispatched Root on a diplomatic mission to Russia in an unsuccessful effort to establish an alliance with the nascent revolutionary government that had overthrown the czarist regime, a mission made challenging by Russia's rapidly evolving political landscape. While Root ultimately supported President Wilson's vision for the League of Nations, an international organization aimed at maintaining world peace, his support came with reservations, aligning with the concerns, particularly regarding national sovereignty and the U.S. Senate's role in foreign policy, famously put forth by Republican Senator Henry Cabot Lodge.

Frequently Asked Questions About Elihu Root

What was Elihu Root best known for?
Elihu Root is best known for his distinguished career as a statesman, serving as Secretary of War and Secretary of State, modernizing the U.S. Army, promoting international arbitration, and receiving the Nobel Peace Prize. He is also considered a prototype of the 20th-century political "wise man" due to his influence and advice to presidents.
Why did Elihu Root receive the Nobel Peace Prize?
Elihu Root was awarded the 1912 Nobel Peace Prize for his significant contributions to international arbitration and diplomacy. As Secretary of State, he negotiated 24 bilateral arbitration treaties, which were instrumental in establishing the framework for the peaceful resolution of international disputes and ultimately contributed to the formation of the Permanent Court of International Justice.
What were Elihu Root's key contributions as Secretary of War?
As Secretary of War from 1899 to 1904, Root administered U.S. colonial possessions acquired in the Spanish-American War (Philippines, Cuba, Puerto Rico). More notably, he spearheaded major reforms to modernize the U.S. Army, establishing the General Staff, creating the U.S. Army War College, and restructuring the National Guard into an effective reserve force, transforming it into a professional military organization.
What was Elihu Root's stance on women's suffrage?
Elihu Root was a prominent opponent of women's suffrage. He actively worked to maintain the constitutional provisions in New York state that limited voting rights exclusively to men.
What was the Permanent Court of International Justice?
The Permanent Court of International Justice (PCIJ) was an international court established in 1922 to resolve disputes between states, primarily based on international law. It was a significant precursor to the International Court of Justice (ICJ), which was established after World War II as the principal judicial organ of the United Nations. Elihu Root's work on international arbitration treaties directly contributed to its eventual creation.