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'''Elihu Root''' (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) served as United States Secretary of War from 1899-1905, and United States Secretary of State from 1905-1909, both for his close friend President [[Theodore Roosevelt]]. He is best known for the "Root Reforms" that modernized the U.S. Army. He served as Republican Senator from New York from 1909-1915. He was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in 1912.
'''Elihu Root''' (February 15, 1845 – February 7, 1937) served as United States Secretary of War from 1899-1905, and United States Secretary of State from 1905-1909, both for his close friend President [[Theodore Roosevelt]].
Root is best known for the "Root Reforms" that modernized the U.S. Army. The short [[Spanish-American War]] of 1898 had demonstrated that more effective control over the department and bureaus was necessary. In 1903 Secretary Root sought to achieve this goal in a businesslike manner by appointing a chief of staff as general manager and a European-type general staff for planning.
Root served as Republican Senator from New York from 1909-1915. He was awarded the [[Nobel Peace Prize]] in 1912.
==Root Mission==
With the fall of Russia's tsarist regime in 1917, President [[Woodrow Wilson]] wanted to support to the fragile democratic government in Russia that filled the resulting power vacuum. American had several goals. Wilson believed that a democratic Russia would be a vital partner in the eventual creation of a league of democracies (the [[League of Nations]], founded 1919) following the defeat of imperial Germany. A strengthened liberal democratic regime would also serve as an effective counterweight to the growing influence of [[Lenin]] and the Bolsheviks. Wilson sent money but realized troops might be needed. In 1917 Wilson sent a commission composed of senior statesmen, headed by Root, in order to better gauge the unfolding political situation. The mission's conclusions ultimately proved to be unrealistic and misinformed; no one fully appreciated the political dynamic, especially as it applied to the rise of the Bolshevik Party. Lacking other alternatives, Wilson continued to aid the provisional government until it too was swept away by revolutionary change.
==Further reading==
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[[Category:Progressive Era]]
[[Category:Progressive Era]]
[[Category:Nobel laureates in Peace]]
[[Category:Nobel laureates in Peace]]