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bederman_manliness_civilization [2026/03/20 15:27] – tgillikibederman_manliness_civilization [2026/03/20 23:46] (current) – [Chapter 5: Theodore Roosevelt: Manhood, Nation, and "Civilization"] jjardine
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 G. Bederman’s study situates T. Roosevelt’s trip to Africa within the broader discourses of race and masculinity. In particular, G. Bederman argues that this trip functioned both as a performance of masculinity through exposure to danger (hunting, fighting, surviving) and as a reinforcement of his views on race and civilization. T. Roosevelt considered Africa to be in a stage comparable to the Stone Age or the Pleistocene, where masculinity could be reexperienced in the most primal way due to the conceptualization of space as a location of incessant struggle between “wild men” and “wild beasts.” Unlike the followers of recapitulation theory, Roosevelt did not intend to entirely act like a “primal man,” but instead sought to emphasize his civilized manhood through several practices, including the reduction of African males to children and the use of substantial symbolic equipment (books, the American flag, imported goods). Overall, Roosevelt’s trip to Africa was a fundamentally gendered and racialized event that attempted to emphasize the difference between “civilization” and “savagery.” in the American cultural discourse of the early 20th century.- Nikolai Kotkov G. Bederman’s study situates T. Roosevelt’s trip to Africa within the broader discourses of race and masculinity. In particular, G. Bederman argues that this trip functioned both as a performance of masculinity through exposure to danger (hunting, fighting, surviving) and as a reinforcement of his views on race and civilization. T. Roosevelt considered Africa to be in a stage comparable to the Stone Age or the Pleistocene, where masculinity could be reexperienced in the most primal way due to the conceptualization of space as a location of incessant struggle between “wild men” and “wild beasts.” Unlike the followers of recapitulation theory, Roosevelt did not intend to entirely act like a “primal man,” but instead sought to emphasize his civilized manhood through several practices, including the reduction of African males to children and the use of substantial symbolic equipment (books, the American flag, imported goods). Overall, Roosevelt’s trip to Africa was a fundamentally gendered and racialized event that attempted to emphasize the difference between “civilization” and “savagery.” in the American cultural discourse of the early 20th century.- Nikolai Kotkov
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 +In Bederman's discussion of Roosevelt's life and more specifically actions, a connection is drawn between civility and acts of savagery. Roosevelt himself throughout his life believed in the balance between modern anglo-saxon civility and controlled interactions with baser instincts. this is shown through Roosevelt's desires for conflict and war for American Masculinity, as well as through his actions during his hunting trip in Africa. ( JDJ)
  
 Bederman shows how Theodore Roosevelt was able to build his claim to political power on his claim to manhood, but also in terms of nationalism and civilization. Roosevelt beilived in building a race of white American values. He promoted his idea of "The white man's burden", or the idea of it being the white man's duty to be "protective" over smaller nations while really translating to an excuse for imperialism. He brought back the idea of civilization as a result of white supremacy. He argued that it was important for white men to exhibit a small amount of violence and savagery in order to maintain masculinity and civilization. By doing this, however, he was seperating white violence from violence of other races. Along with this, a lot of his masculinity was performative, which goes along with his classic narrative of "big stick politics" -Caroline Cochran  Bederman shows how Theodore Roosevelt was able to build his claim to political power on his claim to manhood, but also in terms of nationalism and civilization. Roosevelt beilived in building a race of white American values. He promoted his idea of "The white man's burden", or the idea of it being the white man's duty to be "protective" over smaller nations while really translating to an excuse for imperialism. He brought back the idea of civilization as a result of white supremacy. He argued that it was important for white men to exhibit a small amount of violence and savagery in order to maintain masculinity and civilization. By doing this, however, he was seperating white violence from violence of other races. Along with this, a lot of his masculinity was performative, which goes along with his classic narrative of "big stick politics" -Caroline Cochran 
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 The early 20th century saw a rise in fears of race suicide, the idea that a “civilized” race tends to have decelerated birth rates and accelerated death rates. This alarmist theory, similar to those of neurasthenia, preys on the fears of overcivilization. Race suicide used the language of Darwinism to help propel it as more truthful, as it used some of the most advanced scientific thinking of the time. These fears reached popularity through the media in popular science magazines of the time. (Tanner Gillikin) The early 20th century saw a rise in fears of race suicide, the idea that a “civilized” race tends to have decelerated birth rates and accelerated death rates. This alarmist theory, similar to those of neurasthenia, preys on the fears of overcivilization. Race suicide used the language of Darwinism to help propel it as more truthful, as it used some of the most advanced scientific thinking of the time. These fears reached popularity through the media in popular science magazines of the time. (Tanner Gillikin)
  
 +Bederman introduces Theodore Roosevelt as an individual that civilization used to see as "over-civilized" and effeminate, due to the way he spoke and dressed, this shows a part of the fear society had about overcivilization. Roosevelt decided to remake his image completely to a very masculine ideal that allowed for a prominent grab of power and authority. This grab for authority and power showed through Roosevelt's fervent support of the Spanish-American War, since it was allowing for American men to take the power as savages within a civilized society. (Sage Milton)
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