Primary sourceSpeech1883
The Duties of American Citizenship
Theodore Roosevelt · 1883
An 1883 speech by the young Theodore Roosevelt on what it means to be a good citizen.
This early speech shows Roosevelt's personal views on civic virtue before his rise to national prominence.
About this source
What it is
This speech was written and delivered by Theodore Roosevelt in 1883, early in his political career as a New York politician.
Why it matters
It shows Roosevelt's views on personal virtue, civic duty, and national strength before he became a national figure. The speech reflects ideas about character and citizenship common among politicians of his era, and gives insight into the values that shaped his later career.
Look closer
- What qualities does Roosevelt say a good citizen must have?
- How does he connect personal virtues to the strength of a nation?
- What assumptions about gender and family does the speech reveal?
This speech is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Theodore Roosevelt on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.
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