Maybe ITTL, the Germans continue unrestricted submarine warfare after the Lusitania sinking and that convinces the US to participate...
That is possible but Teddy stubborn and blunt. He not going to be as subtle about his support of the Brits and anti-German stance as his distant relative FDR would be in otl leading up to ww2. He probably trying to send volunteers and aid right away and many Americans would see this as him unnecessarily starting issues with the Germans.
It’s one thing to start shit with Europeans in our hemisphere or sending filibusters to Latin American to create banana republics but to go out of our way to aid Brits in ww1 over in Europe from get go would be a very unpopular move among many. It makes US look more like aggressors and opportunistic. Teddy is making the US an actual imperialist country. He fighting in this war for same reason as them. Honestly some Europeans leaders might get unnerved or worried by US depending on how well they show out. I do think they didn’t understand how much of a military power the US could become partly because they had their heads so far up their own asses they were blind to many things hence reason we had ww1.
Also this is downplayed a lot by modern people but many Americans still absolutely hated the Brits who up to this point was usually big bad guy for many of us. Ask any Irish American during this time many rather see brits lose whenever possible. People in south don’t care about Europe. It could burn and die for all they care. People down there only got pissed and war fever when they heard Germans try to get Mexicans to attack them. Same goes for much of western US. New Englanders and actually Yankees(northerners/wasp) are your most pro British leaning bloc during ww1.
Teddy and progressives are hard on assimilationist. He very well might start targeting Germans in US right in 1914 and before they did anything to Americans yet(unrestricted navy attacks being little later). Teddy would face much more opposition from German Americans. Unlike Wilson they would see it coming with Teddy and be able to push back more and have more support from anti war non Germans. Teddy starts trying to enforce English language in 1914 and question pro German leaning groups in country right away of being un loyal. That stick of his could be more like him busting opening a wasp nest more then anything. Teddy will look more like aggressor even among Americans. He lacks the subtlety of his successors and isn’t on fence which might actually be a worse thing. The US had people keeping up with war even before joining.
We did get more of a heads up on trench warfare without even experiencing the worse parts of it. We don’t have to die in trenches to learn from Europeans fuck ups in warfare. We can watch from the side which is often what US did. It is good to scope situation then act which Teddy won’t do as much. Wilson might have been too idealistic but he did proceed with caution.
Teddy and progressives are populist in many ways. The US military is also very more brotherly then Europeans in military/martial culture. It isn’t like Europe where you just do as your told and expected to fire. They might call them cowboys but it is a band of brothers and equals way more so then European militaries. We might have a much higher officer death rate then Europeans because unlike them many of our officers even if not smartest decision might very well storm no man’s land with there men.
That right there could have interesting butterflies. Yanks officers and generals might send them on suicidal charges too but unlike Junker or British officer the American ones are dying with there men and joining in on charges some famously even leading them. That does earn them much more respect. No one would blame them for anything besides maybe needing to learn better tactics, organization, and training.
Our upper class will actually die alongside our lower class in the trenches. Everyone who joins US military are people that often seek this type of stuff or know it. The upper class that don’t like fighting just bribe/pay there way out of draft but our West Point grads won’t be barking orders from deep behind the lines and safe from enemy. They will be up front yelling orders and actually leading there men into combat. This is why US soldiers would actually respect men leading them instead of a dick head lazy aristocrat telling you what to do.
Teddy own son died in this war in otl. Germans who killed him respected this so much that they gave him military funeral as a sign of respect. Teddy himself fought with his men in combat. They even drink and “socialize” with local women together. This is why Americans actually trust there military much more in otl then Europeans do. You might get hard ass full metal jacket type of sergeant but that man isn’t a chicken shit and actually cares for his men and takes pride in his ability to lead and fight. The US military might be redneckish at times but it is a strict meritocracy. Even if you are a rich kid they expect same of you and at times even single you out(roasting him for being soft and pampered). They want “men” in US military.
Americans have been fighting in small localized conflicts since its founding and adapting modern technology to it. Specialization and paratroopers have always been something Americans were ahead on. We did ironically learn a lot about this by fighting natives and more small scale wars. This this type of conflicts that often influenced US military mindsets and culture before ww1.
Many of them might not know how to read still but many rural people in US did know how to scout, hunt, and defend themselves(frontier and even settled areas could often get violent and they had more access to weapons at home). Give them a literate and well trained leader they can make good grunts. US military might push for more literacy programs after war to turn people like this into more calculating and organized soldiers if they joined earlier.
Raiding and scouts are just more primitive version of special forces operation. Americans are often modernizing warfare tactics that Europeans often considered “beneath” them or associated with “savages”. Issue with Europeans in ww1 is its obsession with Napoleonic types of military tactics and structure. US never had that as much.
The issue with Teddy I think his own ego and biases make him not understand Americans need really good reasons to join prolonged or bloody conflicts. This isn’t one sided affair like taking Cuba. This is a serious war.
US businesses until Germany came off as more hostile still wanted to trade with both sides so being aggressive for war right away would make some of them upset especially if he pushing for prohibition and bills that expand public sector and federal government.
Teddy actually might start a serious revolt somewhere. Protest and riots are probably more likely those. He might try to use war as an excuse to force a bunch of stuff through government. That will cause issues with fractions in both parties. This isn’t depression or ww2. He can’t get away with changing stuff that much especially if war isn’t fully supported. South gets paranoid about anything involving federal expansion(Dixiecrats). Rockefeller Republicans already have a lot of issues with progressives and war does often create bipolar shifts in politics.
The Europeans were somewhat right in their pre-1917 view about their doubts of Americans being reliable in a serious conflict or war. But that is only when they do not have clear threat to themselves or aren’t being antagonize as much. Give them a good reason they will fight like a pack of dogs.
Although, I could see Teddy trying or coming up with some very innovative and ahead of his time tactics. With US and British navy both helping blocking Germany is their anywhere US could open new front by invading actual German coastal areas? Marines can be more quickly recruited and used to storm German beaches with both US and British navy providing support. Russians probably help distract them from having too many forces there. Seems like something Teddy might think of and would actually suit US much better. Multiple small brigades attack at multiple points along coast trying to establish footholds. They can get resupply by sea and maybe Russians too and bring fight to Germans at home(no stab in back bullshit this time).
Also would US and Teddy send any troops to fight ottomans or Austrians? If Italians join as otl they might station more US troops there then western front to break lines there and to knock Austrians out. I think Americans would fight better in mountains. If you are from Appalachia or Rockies their a good chance you would know how to fight and move through places like this especially with Italians giving directions. Also invading Austrian coastline is other option.
Far East Germans would lose everything to Americans and Japan isn’t given anything there like otl(they might be more resentful if they joined. US and Teddy could screw them). Teddy probably does not ask for much in Europe outside of trade concessions. Africa I don’t see him even thinking about. He might try to get European holdings in Americas as “repayment” for helping them especially in Caribbean. Teddy likely keeps up tradition of banana republics but as actual and more formal puppets. He might require all Europeans to accept Monroe doctrine after war or try. But Far East might be where biggest US concessions and gains come from after war especially with China.
Teddy would treat peace deals more like Berlin Conference mixed with Yalta Conference. No League of Nations. Maybe more refined international system but still multiple powers divided spoils between themselves. That’s why I do not think Teddy imagine will stand well with many even if he does come out of war “winning” and on top. He could have created a mess load of domestic issues and resentment during war.
Mexico could actually get dragged into war unlike otl. Teddy record in Latin America isn’t one of being a “good neighbor”. I would not put it pass him to stage or seek excuses for conflict with Germany. Also Wilhelm and Germans have even less subtly then Teddy. Their spies suck and might get caught by US intelligence in Mexico. German spies in Mexico, revolutions, border raids by Mexicans(bandits and rebels mostly but Teddy might bait them into attacking across border more or stage an “incident” but given situation he can get away with bullshitting without actually having to stage anything). These can be used as excuse to invade Mexico by Teddy.
Teddy might not get Congress or public to agree to war right away but US is currently involved in Mexico helping them deal with revolution. Teddy is likely trying to expand US more directly or openly with Latin American. Mexico being unstable and with German influence used as additional excuse the US/Teddy use Monroe Doctrine(“German influence” much of this is exaggerated yellow journalism but not completely unfounded or lies. American media even back then know how to twist truth without straight up lying) and “securing borders”(Mexican rebels/bandits on border and Mexico being described as “failed state” by US media) are justifications for increased US involvement in Mexico. They might even directly annex underpopulated and undeveloped north.
Teddy might hold off on joining war right away depending on level of opposition and how things in Mexico ago. He might use “German spies” in Caribbean as excuse to project more there too: German spies aren’t really influencing politics there. Them getting caught or expose in otl should tell you how much Germans sucked at stuff like this but that isn’t how story will be told to people or how many would see it. Teddy fully supporting allies economically those from start which is big and providing “unofficial naval” conflict with Germans as well with its navy. More like FDR before he joined ww2. Germany likely gets pissed and their is no doubt to them now US is enemy. This could easily lead to Germany doing something stupid like otl again with Americans to bring them into war. They might send letter to Mexico earlier on then otl and Teddy might use that against both Germany and Mexico to increase support for his actions.
Increased involvement in Mexico, Caribbean, and unrestricted navy/trade warfare with Germans are excuse for Teddy to slowly mobilize and transition US to war economy. Trade to allies only add to that. Teddy and FDR would share many similarities but Teddy is more blunt, stubborn, overbearing, and forceful. He also trying to actually be an imperialist.
I think him getting elected again might see him be president until he dies if he lucky or successful enough to keep it which would be around time of Wilson left office so his vice might take presidency going into 20s. He could form strongman tendencies especially as war heats up and domestic issues rise. I don’t think he trusted anyone to take his place after Taft and re-election and stuff after could only make him more full of himself. Teddy was prideful and try hard but literally had most stereotypical unfiltered and egotistical attitude people would associate with Americans. He likely brags and boost about US success in ww1 especially if they out do brits or France in anyway. This might piss off France in post war treaties and talks. Teddy might unintentionally mock France about how they needed them and Brits to win(he might be cool with Brits) and Brits might favor US over France after war.
His strongman tendencies aren’t extreme or even legal in anyway. He would just be very aggressive about lobbying, using executive authority(once he has more allies in government), and using populist tactics(welfare, public projects, increased federalization, and mob mentality/yellow journalism). He playing crowd and doing a bunch of back room deals while also reaching to network with people who like and agree with him more so. It is almost like a game really. Teddy charisma does help him a lot. You can thrive in US if people like you and you can bullshit well enough. Add in actual skills and intelligence you have a person that can do a lot. But this type of stuff especially during an era where your Rockefeller republicans still strong in places. Dixiecrats progressives can bribe somewhat into supporting them by additional federal funding. Funny part about states in south is they love federal funding just not federal authority.
The Great Migration of blacks out of south could be butterfly away and quota on immigration still put in place. Maybe even more so then otl. Teddy “progressives” which did support prohibition, immigration restrictions/downsizing, and was often nativist in influence. The progressives aren’t like Dixiecrats but they are often similar on race views but usually more “moderate” of too on it. They reach out to Catholics minorities sometimes in labor issues. Gangs of New York type of racism is a good way to think of racist people in north. Especially if you are talking about how they “assimilate” immigrants.
Remember what Teddy said? He said you can’t be American and Italian, German, or etc. You could only be “American”. He even said some of best Americans he knows were born in foreign countries.
If Teddy is using federal funding and public projects to bribe south into supporting him this also will see rapid industrialization and military industrial complex start to develop in south. Teddy might even make industries there focused more towards cheap labor, raw resources, and military production. Unlike otl this will happen when south is experiencing cotton crash and before black population leaves north and west for work. These factors can lead to rapid urbanization and industrialization of south to fuel growing and slowly mobilizing US military. The north has stronger unions unlike south that lacks in that but other industries are still strong up north. This isn’t happening in 30s to 50s like otl where north is experiencing shift towards de industrialization while south start slowly taking their industries away from them. North still more of civilian and private industries. Progressives and any smart US leader knows how to play sides. Progressives can have some of the most fake or loose with there beliefs but that does often make them most adept to change.
Whites in north didn’t have a positive reaction to blacks moving in from south and even south started realizing that black population leaving would crash its economy if enough left since they are literally half or more of people in most places. Progressives and Dixiecrats likely work together on “dealing” with black population. They did somewhat in otl later on over this. The progressives often backed southern democrats on increased restrictions on blacks within Jim Crow system and English literacy test(targets both blacks and immigrants). One reason was to prevent more from moving north. Another reason was to keep more south for labor. If industrialization of south happens right when otl great migration started taking off you would not see them head north but to urban areas in south. White Southerners might see it as a good idea to keep black population in concentrated areas but many poor whites in south did also go north or west during this time so many of them would go to cities instead if they have job openings.
Teddy might very well “waken sleeping giant” instead of Japanese but would have turn it into more of a European or Russian type of superpower instead of one we see in otl after ww2(almost solely capitalist).
Teddy would still work within system but he would walk a very fine line and abuse flaws or holes in system for his own gains or interest.
Anyone else see a possible Roosevelt political dynasty forming in US his Teddy gets his way and comes out of war on top? Maybe his son lives through war and becomes general then president? Also maybe FDR still becomes president down line? Teddy could even have a little unofficial cult of personality form around his image or likeness after ww1 and his death but that does not mean him and his family aren’t going to be viewed in a divisive way(more romanticism like how people idolize Washington or how Americans keep pictures of famous people they like). Even if he successful, and I do say if, he would have created a lot of bad blood and grudges in US over all this. People will sit, wait, and plot.
That is the thing with US due to nature of society there you do have more variables and interest groups especially once they get crowd behind it can do a lot. Europeans even more democratic ones have less individual or private variables because they are more centralized and regulated society. Also people do often rally as one much more often in Europe. Americans are at each other throat all time but many do put off domestic issues when faced with foreign threats. This is one reason presidents can get away with so much shady shit during war. No one notices it as much because public focus and attention is directed almost solely on dealing with enemy as quickly as possible and war effort. Unlike Europeans we do have rations during war but we don’t have to worry about not actually lacking food and basic goods for civilians at home.
That is why US is very dangerous as enemy if given valid reason to attack you especially if you can’t take fight to them. If their public is fully behind a war they can keep sending troops, ships, supplies, and etc to use against you which sucks if you only have limited amount. Once they have point of entrance or operations you are in trouble. No navy dominance makes that worse. The US can’t really suffer attrition at home unless people see war as not worth their time and lives. If you attack US you getting stalemate at best unless you plan on going nazis on them which would be a nearly hopeless endeavor.
Teddy might be sending US straight to superpower status after ww1 instead of 2 or he setting it up for revolution or coup at worse. This can go bad if mismanaged especially by people after him. Teddy is expanding military industrial complex and military to levels never seen in US history.
Many capitalist actually feared something like this happening and what it would lead to. People don’t understand this but capitalist and plutocrats often don’t trust big governments. Many people came to US to get away from big governments like this and some people will see signs on wall when Teddy is doing ever so bluntly.
Also the bigger government the weaker businesses and private interest groups usually are. Until corporation system or state capitalism takes off.
Teddy might ease tension with capitalist and private organizations by adopting elements of corporatism and working with groups or wealthy people who support them. In exchange for increased labor benefits and workers rights Teddy might give employers more tax cuts, returns, federal funding, and other benefits.
For federal government, military, public sector, and welfare to expand without capitalist elements getting worried you need to have Teddy reassure some of them that government won’t be bossing them around all time and demand shit from them. That is issue with Europeans then and lesser extent now.
Wealthy people and businesses will push back or leave in face of increased distribution of wealth no matter how democratic it is. That guy with billions of dollars doesn’t care if it is a dictator or elected officials passing laws that require him to “give more back”.
Doesn’t matter if it’s Sweden or USSR many people find it unfair to tax more of their wealth way especially if they are self made or originally came from middle or lower classes which is way more common in US during this time then it was in Europe. If you grind your way to top and cut corners to get there it does make many people less sympathetic and caring towards their former peers who they actually understand well.
This is why US in otl works with corporations and businesses on more mutual and equal terms. US actually negotiate with its own capitalist and businesses more fairly then foreign governments. These people are often ones funding politics here.
Teddy and “progressives” aren’t really social democrats like some like to think. They are centralist in many ways. Teddy might set ground work for multiple state sponsored industries or governments contracts with businesses. Basically creating the structure and ground work for large scale corporations and national businesses. They are just organized better. Regulations might be official word here but somewhat misleading because regulations in this system is focused towards increased productivity and efficiency in economy. It has nothing to do with equality along Marxist lines or distributing wealth. It does provide lower class more access to social mobility and opportunities but it is still meritocracy and has hierarchy. It’s goal is more to eliminate the negatives of raw capitalism not get rid of it but reform capitalism. It adds more technocratic and corporatist elements to US.
Capitalist can grow to love this system because it does give them a social safety net too or guarantee them legal protections. They are also more integrated and tied to US government but can still be “private” companies in former countries and do what they want most of time. Teddy and progressives want them to make money too and if they are all on agreement over system problems can still be heated but system does create frame work for negotiation between government and private groups to handle this. Unless economy is struggling or there is a war of some type the progressives and government won’t mess with capitalist unless they are undermining system or their workers are bitching too much.
Teddy would be like a ref with a stick when dealing with this. Basically he only smacks you with it when you break signed agreements, mismanaged stuff, mistreat labor too much, or break unspoken rules. His successor are likely less involved in this then him. He would be most aggressive with it but it is workable because the majority of time it would run itself especially when economy strong. It’s basically temporary dictatorship concept we see in Rome but Applied to economics and more of a define legal structure to prevent actual dictatorship or plan economy becoming a thing. To put it simply, as long as individual capitalist or groups don’t cause headaches for government they can do as they do and even can now work with government like its one of them(a business).
Teddy isn’t going to create a social democracy. Him and FDR did everything with money in mind. Teddy like environment and did actually believe in preserving. But he rather figure out how to make that self gaining and economically beneficial too. Natural parks do contribute to tourism and science(studying there and learning how to have development that doesn’t destroy nature or better public planning). Stuff like dams, schools, roads, and infrastructure can implement environmentalist ideas or play along with them. Capitalism doesn’t have to be against environmentalism especially when it can be more practical and self gaining option. Teddy understands the need of a healthy environment relates to successful economy in long run(stripping land bare in long run isn’t smart). Teddy was ahead of curb on this. If you keep planting trees and cutting them down while using public planning to prevent over logging you create more jobs and a steady flow of wood for decades. It’s like a crop cycle. They aren’t just saving environment for sake of saving it. It is calculated and varies from region. Even Teddy didn’t break on environmental destruction everywhere. Down side of system those federal funding going to vary from county and state depending on local politics and as a way to leverage states if they oppose federal government
Lastly Teddy or president after him might have to deal with some alt red scare with or without Marxist taking over somewhere after war. Progressives and Teddy do present a alternative reform options to sway people away from that. The issue isn’t so much Europeans but what is going on in US when war and treaties are happening.