In 1939 unemployment stood at 9.2 million; in 1929, it was
2.6 million. Why is FDR remembered by scholars and by the American
public as a great, even the greatest President? (100 words, by Friday 19/4
5pm).
FDR became President in 1933 at a time that could be considered the rock bottom of the Great Depression. A time of economic calamity, unemployment was at 25% resulting in incredible hardship. FDR is revered in collective memory because he initiated The New Deal, and a process of relief and recovery in the United States. In stark contrast to Herbert Hoover, FDR believed that the Federal Government had to intervene and take responsibility for the poor, and stimulate the economy. Averting the crisis, he restored the bank system and provided jobs through organised labour, resulting in unemployment levels beginning to shift. Moreover, in 1935 FDR instituted the first Social Security Act, introducing a pension scheme, unemployment benefits, and aid to needy children. By 1939, whilst unemployment remained high, it had decreased to 19%. Due to the massive government spending in WWII the unemployment levels plummeted, allowing the end of FDR’s presidency to see a booming economy.
In addition, he transformed the style of presidency employed by previous presidents. Through radio and mail correspondence, he built a solid connection between the president and the public that made him appear approachable, and a leader the people could look up to, and depend on.
FDR is remembered by many scholars as a great President because he brought America out of the Great Depression that had scared Americans economically and socially. The New Deal was the main goal that FDR was driving for in order to bring America out of the Great Depression. Economically, the New Deal changed and reorganized the American banking system restoring confidence to Americans that their savings were secured by the Federal Government. Socially, the New Deal brought in the Social Security Act that included pension schemes and unemployment benefits for Americans. With regards to the problem of unemployment due to the Great Depression, FDR’s New Deal tried to solve this by introducing various initiatives like the Civilian Conservation Corps that help to put young unemployed Americans back to work. Though FDR’s efforts to solve unemployment did not have much effect to it, it was only with the advent of World War Two and large amounts of government spending that brought the unemployment rate down.
Herbert Hoover was the President when the unemployment rate was low in 1929, but when he left office in 1933, unemployment was at the highest it has ever been due to the Great Depression. Then FDR became the President until his death in 1945. He was well prepared for the job and wasted no time initiating The New Deal which enabled the federal government to stimulate the economy and job market. The start of World War II in 1939 greatly contributed to the start of a booming economy, but it lasted for decades afterwards. The Great Depression and WWII ended during his twelve years in office. The US had a flourishing economy, global influence, a low unemployment rate, and was regarded as a superpower by the time FDR died during the beginning of his fourth term in 1945.
1939 and the Great Depression was a devastating time for Americans as unemployment and poverty striking many Americans. FDR’s Presidency not only brought about literal change but he had also instilled a new, symbolic hope in Americans. The simple act of putting people to work, whether in agriculture or on roads not only bolstered the US economy but it also instilled a ‘new confidence’ in American citizens that had been lacking in years before. Furthermore, it can be argued he fundamentally changed many aspects of American society, policy and government that are still evident today. For example, the introduction of Social Security Act in 1935 and the new, more involved, role given to the President and the Federal Government. Whilst past Presidents of America have all made significant contributions and changes, it is my belief that the context of the time aided in the memory of FDR, considering the fact that not many presidents assumed control during such a dark time. Granted, not many presidents could have made policies that were as effective as The New Deal, but the contrast between America before FDR and the America after helps in explaining why historians would look so fondly upon him.
At the time of his presidency, FDR faced a country in economic and social unrest due to the Great Depression, however through his confidence and proactive approaches towards the Great Depression based on relief, recovery and reform, FDR proved himself to be a driving force in bringing the US out of economic and social turmoil. Through the implementation of reforms such as the Emergency Banking Act and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which put single unemployed men to work, FDR not only helped restore economic order, but shifted the traditional role of the Federal Government into a role of more open responsibility to the people. FDR also established himself as a President for the people, seen through his ‘fireside conversations’ which allowed an interaction between US citizens and the President that had not previously been implemented. Although the New Deal was in these areas seen as successful, unemployment was still extremely high and was only truly diminished by the economic boost that accompanied World War 2. Thus although it is debated whether the New Deal truly reached its goals and potential, the New Deal was seen as an initiative that, along with FDR’s confidence, restored the people’s faith in the government and their President.
In the context of historical memory and measuring the success of a presidency, FDR’s time in office must be recalled with an inherent understanding of the looming, harsh social and economic climate (dictated by the aftermath of the Great Depression). Despite an aesthetic rise in the unemployment figures through the 1930’s, the reforms of the New Deal are revered for their innovation and apparent widespread influence. This form of policy, with such great emphasis on social securities, the development of infrastructure, and the establishment of a welfare state, is primarily what elevated the New Deal and, more broadly FDR’s time as President to it’s present place in history. To diminish the overall value of a twelve-year presidency with the use of one statistic, such as labour force data, would be an overly simplistic method of critiquing.
FDR revived hope within the US that had not been seen since the bountiful 1920s, he asserted that poverty and unemployment were the responsibility of the federal government. By instigating the acts of the New Deal and Second New Deal FDR took control over the Depression, by giving work to individuals through the Works Progress Administration and creating the framework for the Welfare State, since welfare benefits were practically non-existent before FDR. By providing direct government action FDR was providing something that Hoover would not, he transformed the role of the presidency to be responsible for the protection of the people.
FDR is remembered as one the greatest presidents by not only scholars but te American a public because he helped America in a time of crisis, he may not have completely ended the Great Depression but he implemented policy to bring America out of social and economic crisis. FDR's New Deal lowered the percentage of unemployment, mended the banking system through his emergency banking act. Intervening in the conditions of the unemployed and poor was a new responsibility for the federal government, FDR shifted this responsibility from the state government. One of the key reasons FDR is remembered as one of the greatest presidents is his approachability through his radio chats and the ability for republic to write to him in response. Although it was the Second World War that ended the Great Depression FDR had an impact on assisting in the end of crisis in America.
FDR is often remembered as one of the greatest American president because of his ability to lift the spirits of the nation, and his apparent ability to lift them out of the Depression.
FDR believed the federal government bore responsibility for the welfare of the people, and therefore must intervene to stimulate the economy and help the poor.
FDR did this through The New Deal. Encompassing a broad range of legislation and administration, the New Deal rescued banks and encouraged Americans to invest again. It introduced the Social Security Act which provided for unemployment benefits, as well as the Works Progress Administration, which put Americans to work on public infrastructure.
Through speedy implementation, FDR successfully boosted American morale and the popularity of the Democratic Party. While WWII did more to lift America out of the Depression than the New Deal did, FDR was still responsible for altering the view of American Presidents. From his administration onwards, Presidents began to be seen as directly responsible to and for the people.
“Above all, try something” - FDR is remembered as a great President because he was a proactive leader willing to challenge the previously entrenched ideas about the role of a federal parliament in order to bring the USA out of the Great Depression. The New Deal was able to generate demand and thus stimulate the economy, the establishment of a welfare state challenged the idea that one was responsible for one’s own economic struggles, and FDR's fireside chats and general approachability made him relatable. While it was only WWII that was able to significantly improve unemployment rates, FDR was a strong, innovative leader for US citizens to rally around in the wake of Hoover and the stock market crash of 1929.
While it is clear that in terms of curbing unemployment, FDR's New Deal largely failed, he is still highly regarded by Americans and their historians alike. To explain this seemingly incongruous reality, we can look to his charismatic personality and aptitude in statecraft that allowed him to garner bipartisan support for his ultimately ineffective economic policies. It is hard to imagine any other president manage to control Congress in such a manner as FDR did. Furthermore, the people of the time evidently supported him and his policies if his enormous majorities in elections are taken into account. So while hindsight may allow us to strike down his attempts to end the depression, the people of the time certainly did not see him as a failure. This popularity has seemingly propagated itself through the decades to the present day.
FDR is remembered as a great president by scholars and the American public for his New Deal initiative and his engagement with his electorate. While in office, FDR pulled America out of the Great Depression by maximising workforce participation, restoring the bank system and stimulating the economy through government spending. Moreover, he implemented a Social Security scheme, which was a novel policy, as it involved the government assuming personal responsibility for its citizens. His engagement with the public through the ‘Fireside Chats’ made the American people feel connected to both him and the government, and set the current standard for modern-day public figures’ personal accountability to their electorate.
The high levels of unemployment, business failures and general economic hardships continued throughout FDR’s presidency, however undoubtedly Roosevelt averted the immediate economic crisis with the implementation of his ‘New Deal’. The dramatic and unprecedented reforms and policies were exactly the sort of proactive action that the American public needed to witness to revitalise their faith in government. FDR’s revolutionary style of leadership appeared to buffer general resentment of authority that would be natural in times of instability. FDR won the public over with his sympathy of the common mans plight, and his belief that it was the government’s responsibility to protect its people. In comparison to his predecessor Herbert Hoover, whose memory was scornfully linked with slums dubbed ‘hoovervilles’, FDR is remembered as a hero.
FDR became president during a time where an economic crisis was looming. During his first years of presidency he was faced with the Great Depression, and although unemployment rates hit 9.2 million (around 17%) in 1939 people FDR is also remembered for holding, to date, the lowest unemployment rate in US history being 1.2% in 1944, the year before he died. The ability to pull America from one of the highest unemployment rates during one of the hardest financial times in history to the lowest unemployment rate in history in the space of 5 years is incredible and purely from this point of view it is understandable how he has gained a reputation for being one of Americas greatest presidents.
When FDR entered into office, America was in the grip of the Great Depression. Unlike Hoover, who had believed that the economy would return to normal on its own, without intervention, FDR believed that the federal government needed to take action to stimulate the economy. His New Deal stopped the failure of the banking system, and introduced a program of organized labour on government projects, which allowed the unemployment rate to drop. Additionally, through the Social Security Act of 1935, which provided pensions for the retired and benefits for the unemployed, FDR can be seen as a key figure in the establishment of a welfare state. While FDR’s New Deal cannot be credited with ending the Great Depression, he is remembered as one of America’s greatest presidents because he transformed the relationship between the federal government and the American people - for the first time, the federal government was responsible for aiding the needy and the unemployed. Additionally, FDR engaged with new forms of media (such as radio) resulting in the emergence of a new style of presidency, where the American people felt a more direct and personal connection with their leader.
FDR became President not only during the Great Depression, but at what we might consider to be a significant low point of the depression: the employment rates were terribly low and poverty pervaded the United States, affecting many families. The country seemed to be in turmoil, as the post-war utopian idealism of the 1920s diminished as the harsh reality of life after the war set in. Roosevelt is remembered as a great president not simply for the actions he took while in office, but for how he made Americans feel. His fireside chats allowed people to feel genuinely part of the democratic process; the public felt as though they were being listened to, and their voices respected. Furthermore, Roosevelt’s views on economic freedom seemed to invoke the spirit of the Forefathers; identifying that ‘”...liberty requires opportunity to make a living... (and) opportunity (is) limited by monopoly...” His genuine passion for the liberty of Americans, and his willingness to point the finger at the ‘industrial dictatorship’ has ensured that he is remembered as a president of the people. His fervent determination in honouring the constitution and standing against the ‘over-privileged’ has immortalised his place in history as a ‘true defender’ of American liberty and democracy.
[tl;dr: when you invoke the ideals of the flag and the Constitution, people are going to love you.]
FDR became President during the time of the devastating Great Depression. To many members of the American public FDR is remembered as one of the greatest president’s for his work to counteract the suffering of the American people at this time. The New Deal put in place by FDR helped to lower drastically high unemployment rates through programs like the CCC, as well introducing the first social security act and reforming the banking system to restore confidence in it and the American economy. FDR is also remembered by scholars and the public for the way he changed the role of the President, giving the position more power, and the federal government more responsibility to the people. His fireside chats helped to instil confidence in his policies and himself as a leader by establishing a new level of closeness and rapport with the public that listened to these broadcasts.
FDR can be considered one of the greatest U.S presidents by the actions he took once in office. Faced with a financial crisis, FDR set about restoring faith in the banking system, unlike his predecessors in his first 100 days. This was followed by reducing the unemployment rates to some of the lowest they have ever been. This was done by putting unemployed Americans into constructive jobs including constructing roads where there had not been before, and also prisons and other civil buildings. The economy also saw a boost due to wartime spending in WWII, promoting more jobs and the use of more resources. Another aspect of his popularity was the fact he was a very social president, allowing citizens to put pen to paper and press their concerns to him in writing, often receiving a personal response. It is for these reasons that FDR can be considered one of the greatest U.S presidents in history.
FDR is seen as one of the greatest presidents in American history because of the massive improvement he made in his first 100 days. this is because not only did he restore in the banking system but he also reduced unemployment rates to just about the lowest had or have ever been. he introduced work programs for the unemployed and was the first president to introduce the notion of the welfare state. He brought the economy up out of the depression. overall he improved the countries situation dramatically making him a great president.
The question of who is the greatest president ever focuses more on intangible criteria such as the ability to inspire. There is little doubt that, through his contact with the people via the fireside chats and his move from ‘Dr. New Deal’ to ‘Dr. Win-the war’, FDR managed to capture the imagination of the American public. While he struggled to improve the unemployment situation in the United States, his leadership changed the office of the presidency for the better. This profound influence on the nature of American politics is the reason that scholars and the American public regard FDR as the greatest president in American history.
Even though unemployment rose under Roosevelt, his appeals to the hearts of the American people instilled an optimism that had effectively been killed of by the initial knock of the Great Depression. By making Americans feel as though their country was trying to do something for them, FDR managed to avoid being tied, in the way Hoover was, to the Depression, instead being seen as someone for all Americans to have 'fireside chats' with. This pre-war popularity tied in with his quick response to Pearl Harbor, inspiring leadership during World War II and convenient death before the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in making him America's most fondly remembered, if not greatest, president.
FDR became President in 1933 at a time that could be considered the rock bottom of the Great Depression. A time of economic calamity, unemployment was at 25% resulting in incredible hardship. FDR is revered in collective memory because he initiated The New Deal, and a process of relief and recovery in the United States. In stark contrast to Herbert Hoover, FDR believed that the Federal Government had to intervene and take responsibility for the poor, and stimulate the economy. Averting the crisis, he restored the bank system and provided jobs through organised labour, resulting in unemployment levels beginning to shift. Moreover, in 1935 FDR instituted the first Social Security Act, introducing a pension scheme, unemployment benefits, and aid to needy children. By 1939, whilst unemployment remained high, it had decreased to 19%. Due to the massive government spending in WWII the unemployment levels plummeted, allowing the end of FDR’s presidency to see a booming economy.
ReplyDeleteIn addition, he transformed the style of presidency employed by previous presidents. Through radio and mail correspondence, he built a solid connection between the president and the public that made him appear approachable, and a leader the people could look up to, and depend on.
FDR is remembered by many scholars as a great President because he brought America out of the Great Depression that had scared Americans economically and socially. The New Deal was the main goal that FDR was driving for in order to bring America out of the Great Depression. Economically, the New Deal changed and reorganized the American banking system restoring confidence to Americans that their savings were secured by the Federal Government. Socially, the New Deal brought in the Social Security Act that included pension schemes and unemployment benefits for Americans. With regards to the problem of unemployment due to the Great Depression, FDR’s New Deal tried to solve this by introducing various initiatives like the Civilian Conservation Corps that help to put young unemployed Americans back to work. Though FDR’s efforts to solve unemployment did not have much effect to it, it was only with the advent of World War Two and large amounts of government spending that brought the unemployment rate down.
ReplyDeleteHerbert Hoover was the President when the unemployment rate was low in 1929, but when he left office in 1933, unemployment was at the highest it has ever been due to the Great Depression. Then FDR became the President until his death in 1945. He was well prepared for the job and wasted no time initiating The New Deal which enabled the federal government to stimulate the economy and job market. The start of World War II in 1939 greatly contributed to the start of a booming economy, but it lasted for decades afterwards. The Great Depression and WWII ended during his twelve years in office. The US had a flourishing economy, global influence, a low unemployment rate, and was regarded as a superpower by the time FDR died during the beginning of his fourth term in 1945.
ReplyDelete1939 and the Great Depression was a devastating time for Americans as unemployment and poverty striking many Americans. FDR’s Presidency not only brought about literal change but he had also instilled a new, symbolic hope in Americans. The simple act of putting people to work, whether in agriculture or on roads not only bolstered the US economy but it also instilled a ‘new confidence’ in American citizens that had been lacking in years before. Furthermore, it can be argued he fundamentally changed many aspects of American society, policy and government that are still evident today. For example, the introduction of Social Security Act in 1935 and the new, more involved, role given to the President and the Federal Government. Whilst past Presidents of America have all made significant contributions and changes, it is my belief that the context of the time aided in the memory of FDR, considering the fact that not many presidents assumed control during such a dark time. Granted, not many presidents could have made policies that were as effective as The New Deal, but the contrast between America before FDR and the America after helps in explaining why historians would look so fondly upon him.
ReplyDeleteAt the time of his presidency, FDR faced a country in economic and social unrest due to the Great Depression, however through his confidence and proactive approaches towards the Great Depression based on relief, recovery and reform, FDR proved himself to be a driving force in bringing the US out of economic and social turmoil. Through the implementation of reforms such as the Emergency Banking Act and the Civilian Conservation Corps, which put single unemployed men to work, FDR not only helped restore economic order, but shifted the traditional role of the Federal Government into a role of more open responsibility to the people. FDR also established himself as a President for the people, seen through his ‘fireside conversations’ which allowed an interaction between US citizens and the President that had not previously been implemented. Although the New Deal was in these areas seen as successful, unemployment was still extremely high and was only truly diminished by the economic boost that accompanied World War 2. Thus although it is debated whether the New Deal truly reached its goals and potential, the New Deal was seen as an initiative that, along with FDR’s confidence, restored the people’s faith in the government and their President.
ReplyDeleteIn the context of historical memory and measuring the success of a presidency, FDR’s time in office must be recalled with an inherent understanding of the looming, harsh social and economic climate (dictated by the aftermath of the Great Depression). Despite an aesthetic rise in the unemployment figures through the 1930’s, the reforms of the New Deal are revered for their innovation and apparent widespread influence. This form of policy, with such great emphasis on social securities, the development of infrastructure, and the establishment of a welfare state, is primarily what elevated the New Deal and, more broadly FDR’s time as President to it’s present place in history. To diminish the overall value of a twelve-year presidency with the use of one statistic, such as labour force data, would be an overly simplistic method of critiquing.
ReplyDeleteFDR revived hope within the US that had not been seen since the bountiful 1920s, he asserted that poverty and unemployment were the responsibility of the federal government. By instigating the acts of the New Deal and Second New Deal FDR took control over the Depression, by giving work to individuals through the Works Progress Administration and creating the framework for the Welfare State, since welfare benefits were practically non-existent before FDR. By providing direct government action FDR was providing something that Hoover would not, he transformed the role of the presidency to be responsible for the protection of the people.
ReplyDeleteFDR is remembered as one the greatest presidents by not only scholars but te American a public because he helped America in a time of crisis, he may not have completely ended the Great Depression but he implemented policy to bring America out of social and economic crisis. FDR's New Deal lowered the percentage of unemployment, mended the banking system through his emergency banking act. Intervening in the conditions of the unemployed and poor was a new responsibility for the federal government, FDR shifted this responsibility from the state government. One of the key reasons FDR is remembered as one of the greatest presidents is his approachability through his radio chats and the ability for republic to write to him in response. Although it was the Second World War that ended the Great Depression FDR had an impact on assisting in the end of crisis in America.
ReplyDeleteFDR is often remembered as one of the greatest American president because of his ability to lift the spirits of the nation, and his apparent ability to lift them out of the Depression.
ReplyDeleteFDR believed the federal government bore responsibility for the welfare of the people, and therefore must intervene to stimulate the economy and help the poor.
FDR did this through The New Deal. Encompassing a broad range of legislation and administration, the New Deal rescued banks and encouraged Americans to invest again. It introduced the Social Security Act which provided for unemployment benefits, as well as the Works Progress Administration, which put Americans to work on public infrastructure.
Through speedy implementation, FDR successfully boosted American morale and the popularity of the Democratic Party. While WWII did more to lift America out of the Depression than the New Deal did, FDR was still responsible for altering the view of American Presidents. From his administration onwards, Presidents began to be seen as directly responsible to and for the people.
“Above all, try something” - FDR is remembered as a great President because he was a proactive leader willing to challenge the previously entrenched ideas about the role of a federal parliament in order to bring the USA out of the Great Depression. The New Deal was able to generate demand and thus stimulate the economy, the establishment of a welfare state challenged the idea that one was responsible for one’s own economic struggles, and FDR's fireside chats and general approachability made him relatable. While it was only WWII that was able to significantly improve unemployment rates, FDR was a strong, innovative leader for US citizens to rally around in the wake of Hoover and the stock market crash of 1929.
ReplyDeleteWhile it is clear that in terms of curbing unemployment, FDR's New Deal largely failed, he is still highly regarded by Americans and their historians alike. To explain this seemingly incongruous reality, we can look to his charismatic personality and aptitude in statecraft that allowed him to garner bipartisan support for his ultimately ineffective economic policies. It is hard to imagine any other president manage to control Congress in such a manner as FDR did. Furthermore, the people of the time evidently supported him and his policies if his enormous majorities in elections are taken into account. So while hindsight may allow us to strike down his attempts to end the depression, the people of the time certainly did not see him as a failure. This popularity has seemingly propagated itself through the decades to the present day.
ReplyDeleteFDR is remembered as a great president by scholars and the American public for his New Deal initiative and his engagement with his electorate. While in office, FDR pulled America out of the Great Depression by maximising workforce participation, restoring the bank system and stimulating the economy through government spending. Moreover, he implemented a Social Security scheme, which was a novel policy, as it involved the government assuming personal responsibility for its citizens. His engagement with the public through the ‘Fireside Chats’ made the American people feel connected to both him and the government, and set the current standard for modern-day public figures’ personal accountability to their electorate.
ReplyDeleteLaura Kerridge
The high levels of unemployment, business failures and general economic hardships continued throughout FDR’s presidency, however undoubtedly Roosevelt averted the immediate economic crisis with the implementation of his ‘New Deal’. The dramatic and unprecedented reforms and policies were exactly the sort of proactive action that the American public needed to witness to revitalise their faith in government. FDR’s revolutionary style of leadership appeared to buffer general resentment of authority that would be natural in times of instability. FDR won the public over with his sympathy of the common mans plight, and his belief that it was the government’s responsibility to protect its people. In comparison to his predecessor Herbert Hoover, whose memory was scornfully linked with slums dubbed ‘hoovervilles’, FDR is remembered as a hero.
ReplyDeleteFDR became president during a time where an economic crisis was looming. During his first years of presidency he was faced with the Great Depression, and although unemployment rates hit 9.2 million (around 17%) in 1939 people FDR is also remembered for holding, to date, the lowest unemployment rate in US history being 1.2% in 1944, the year before he died. The ability to pull America from one of the highest unemployment rates during one of the hardest financial times in history to the lowest unemployment rate in history in the space of 5 years is incredible and purely from this point of view it is understandable how he has gained a reputation for being one of Americas greatest presidents.
ReplyDeleteWhen FDR entered into office, America was in the grip of the Great Depression. Unlike Hoover, who had believed that the economy would return to normal on its own, without intervention, FDR believed that the federal government needed to take action to stimulate the economy. His New Deal stopped the failure of the banking system, and introduced a program of organized labour on government projects, which allowed the unemployment rate to drop. Additionally, through the Social Security Act of 1935, which provided pensions for the retired and benefits for the unemployed, FDR can be seen as a key figure in the establishment of a welfare state. While FDR’s New Deal cannot be credited with ending the Great Depression, he is remembered as one of America’s greatest presidents because he transformed the relationship between the federal government and the American people - for the first time, the federal government was responsible for aiding the needy and the unemployed. Additionally, FDR engaged with new forms of media (such as radio) resulting in the emergence of a new style of presidency, where the American people felt a more direct and personal connection with their leader.
ReplyDeleteFDR became President not only during the Great Depression, but at what we might consider to be a significant low point of the depression: the employment rates were terribly low and poverty pervaded the United States, affecting many families. The country seemed to be in turmoil, as the post-war utopian idealism of the 1920s diminished as the harsh reality of life after the war set in. Roosevelt is remembered as a great president not simply for the actions he took while in office, but for how he made Americans feel. His fireside chats allowed people to feel genuinely part of the democratic process; the public felt as though they were being listened to, and their voices respected. Furthermore, Roosevelt’s views on economic freedom seemed to invoke the spirit of the Forefathers; identifying that ‘”...liberty requires opportunity to make a living... (and) opportunity (is) limited by monopoly...” His genuine passion for the liberty of Americans, and his willingness to point the finger at the ‘industrial dictatorship’ has ensured that he is remembered as a president of the people. His fervent determination in honouring the constitution and standing against the ‘over-privileged’ has immortalised his place in history as a ‘true defender’ of American liberty and democracy.
ReplyDelete[tl;dr: when you invoke the ideals of the flag and the Constitution, people are going to love you.]
FDR became President during the time of the devastating Great Depression. To many members of the American public FDR is remembered as one of the greatest president’s for his work to counteract the suffering of the American people at this time. The New Deal put in place by FDR helped to lower drastically high unemployment rates through programs like the CCC, as well introducing the first social security act and reforming the banking system to restore confidence in it and the American economy.
ReplyDeleteFDR is also remembered by scholars and the public for the way he changed the role of the President, giving the position more power, and the federal government more responsibility to the people. His fireside chats helped to instil confidence in his policies and himself as a leader by establishing a new level of closeness and rapport with the public that listened to these broadcasts.
FDR can be considered one of the greatest U.S presidents by the actions he took once in office. Faced with a financial crisis, FDR set about restoring faith in the banking system, unlike his predecessors in his first 100 days. This was followed by reducing the unemployment rates to some of the lowest they have ever been. This was done by putting unemployed Americans into constructive jobs including constructing roads where there had not been before, and also prisons and other civil buildings.
ReplyDeleteThe economy also saw a boost due to wartime spending in WWII, promoting more jobs and the use of more resources.
Another aspect of his popularity was the fact he was a very social president, allowing citizens to put pen to paper and press their concerns to him in writing, often receiving a personal response. It is for these reasons that FDR can be considered one of the greatest U.S presidents in history.
FDR is seen as one of the greatest presidents in American history because of the massive improvement he made in his first 100 days. this is because not only did he restore in the banking system but he also reduced unemployment rates to just about the lowest had or have ever been. he introduced work programs for the unemployed and was the first president to introduce the notion of the welfare state. He brought the economy up out of the depression. overall he improved the countries situation dramatically making him a great president.
ReplyDeleteThe question of who is the greatest president ever focuses more on intangible criteria such as the ability to inspire. There is little doubt that, through his contact with the people via the fireside chats and his move from ‘Dr. New Deal’ to ‘Dr. Win-the war’, FDR managed to capture the imagination of the American public. While he struggled to improve the unemployment situation in the United States, his leadership changed the office of the presidency for the better. This profound influence on the nature of American politics is the reason that scholars and the American public regard FDR as the greatest president in American history.
ReplyDeleteEven though unemployment rose under Roosevelt, his appeals to the hearts of the American people instilled an optimism that had effectively been killed of by the initial knock of the Great Depression. By making Americans feel as though their country was trying to do something for them, FDR managed to avoid being tied, in the way Hoover was, to the Depression, instead being seen as someone for all Americans to have 'fireside chats' with. This pre-war popularity tied in with his quick response to Pearl Harbor, inspiring leadership during World War II and convenient death before the events of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in making him America's most fondly remembered, if not greatest, president.
ReplyDelete