In Alan Axelrod’s interpretation of Roosevelt’s first inaugural address, he recognized the main things that Roosevelt was trying to make immensely clear. America at that time needed to hear the certain words spoken by Roosevelt and he gave them just what the people wanted. Axelrod digs deep into the speech, but also focuses mainly on the simple, yet powerful messages that needed to be discussed. This historical research study showed well explanations and interpretations, displayed facts and opinions about the document, and gave an excerpt of the given historical document. I agree with Alan Axelrod’s interpretation of Roosevelt’s first inaugural address as the main points he made valid that I also agree with were that the only thing to fear is fear itself, how Roosevelt overcame his disability, and how FDR did not sugarcoat reality.
To begin, the only thing to fear is fear itself as Alan Axelrod points out in his interpretation of Roosevelt’s address. I also, as well as Axelrod, noticed this in FDR’s address. Axelrod states, “Fear is not so much the sensation accompanying the realization of danger, but a fog, an obscurer of truth, an interference with how we may productively engage reality.” I like how he refers to fear as a fog. He states that we all need to lift the fog of fear as our kind has conquered worst in the past. What Axelrod explains is just an expansion of what Roosevelt was trying to make clear. Roosevelt asked the people to sweep aside the fog of fear. “He didn’t ask them to stop being afraid, but to stop letting fear obscure their vision of reality.” These were also words by Axelrod which clearly show that Roosevelt wanted to implement this statement.
In continuation, Axelrod in his interpretation of Roosevelt’s a...
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...ew to be true. He was just the one to lift the fog and make it clear for all to see.
Clearly, Axelrod makes very good statements and observations that I agree with on the subject of Roosevelt’s first inaugural address. Even though Axelrod’s historical research didn’t go into much detail, everything that was said and that was pulled to attention was thought out and very true. Axelrod, like FDR, got right to the point on what he wanted to point out and show what he thought and believed was of importance. I agree with Alan Axelrod’s interpretation of Roosevelt’s first inaugural address as the main points he made valid that I also agree with were that the only thing to fear is fear itself, how Roosevelt overcame his disability, and how FDR did not sugarcoat reality.
Works Cited
Alan Axelrod’s interpretation of Roosevelt’s first inaugural address
Although the nation listened with little hope, the genuineness behind the words Roosevelt spoke opened the ears of many. While many ridiculed Hoover and found ways to belittle his status with phrases such as “Hoovervilles” to describe shanty towns or “Hoover Blankets” to describe the newspapers individuals used as warmth, he practiced denial. While the people of the nation suffered, his approach to keeping the facade that the economy “was on its way” was to preserve and uphold formal attire and protocol in the White House.... ... middle of paper ...
Fear is a thing that strikes someone at heart. This man had overcame it in such a way it moved many people and had became another thing that this man has overcome. It sure will not be the last of it.As Wiesel said “Hunger—thirst—fear—transport—selection—fire—chimney: these words all have intrinsic
Patrick J. Maney's "The Roosevelt Presence: The Life and Legacy of FDR" is a critical analysis of the policies, programs and decisions invoked by Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Maney's analysis and opinions of important historical events brought forth by Roosevelt such as The New Deal, Court Packing and World War II are "off-beat" to say the least. Maney attempts to bring to the table an objective analysis of FDR's life and policies, with hopes of indulging the reader in what he believes is the truth. Although Patrick J. Maney attempted to come off as an objectionable historian, it is evident that he vastly injected his own opinions and beliefs into his analysis.
Theodore Roosevelt may be one of the more notable personalities which have graced the oval office since 1789. Roosevelt’s disposition has been characterized as daring, brash, and ambitious. This image has been molded by stories and events throughout his life, which range from expeditions through the Amazon to giving a speech soon after being shot in the torso. (Andrews)
Assuming the Presidency at the depth of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt helped the American people regain faith in themselves. He brought hope as he promised prompt, vigorous action, and asserted in his Inaugural Address, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself." Despite an attack of poliomyelitis, which paralyzed his legs in 1921, he was a charismatic optimist whose confidence helped sustain the American people during the strains of economic crisis and world war.
Roosevelt’s inaugural address focused on the current situation of the nation and he intended to declare war on the Great Depression. He stated a need to move as a nation through his leadership and become a better nation. Roosevelt took a strong stand and proclaimed, "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. He looks to the future asking the nation to fulfill their “true destiny” of ministering to themselves and their fellow men.
Roosevelt used personification in his speech in different ways such as he personifies his actions while his presidency in using phrases such as “but their efforts have been cast in the pattern of an outworn”. Roosevelt described something so that others can understand, he talked about the failure of America during the Great Depression. Roosevelt also talked about his plans in helping America while his presidency, “I am prepared under my constitutional duty to recommend the measures that a stricken nation in the midst of a stricken world may require”. In other words, he is emphasizing a point which it will be consider personification. Franklin D. Roosevelt also used diction in his First Inaugural Address in order to demonstrate his word choices in introducing the New Deal. America was facing severe economic issues during the Great Depression, farmers find no markets for their produce, savings of many years in thousands of families were gone and a host of unemployment citizens were facing the grim problem of existence. Roosevelt wanted actions for citizens and actions were given. Roosevelt give out examples of diction such as “let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself, nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance”, Roosevelt repeated his chosen words in some point of the phrase to achieve an artistic effect which is best known as diction. Another rhetorical device that Franklin D. Roosevelt used in his speech was antimetabole. Roosevelt used this rhetorical appeal in his speech in order to demonstrate his actions in helping America. Roosevelt talked about the desperate Americans in need of a change “the nation asks for action, and action now” where the words that Roosevelt claimed for a recover. Franklin D. Roosevelt wanted America achieve after a severe crisis and he put himself in task by putting people to
Theodore Roosevelt’s legacy as a great president, lives on today through his policies. The Panama Canal now saves ships thousands of miles, and National Parks inspire people to conserve the resources of this earth. His social justice policies keep businesses honest and force them to be fair. But like all humans he had flaws. One of his major weaknesses was he thought anyone who did not agree with him was un-American, and during World War One was suspicious of German Americans. While on state Legislature, he tried to fire a judge based on corruption because he reached a verdict Roosevelt did not agree with. But Roosevelt’s great intelligence, strength, and curiosity outweighed his flaws, and it is not surprise he is considered as one of America’s greatest presidents.
In the book Theodore Roosevelt by Louis Auchincloss, I learned a great deal about the twenty-sixth President of the United States of America. Former President T. Roosevelt made many accomplishments as president, and did not have a high number of scandals. Roosevelt did very well in keeping the peace between the different countries, which earned him many admirers and the coveted Nobel Peace Prize. The author’s purpose for writing Theodore Roosevelt was to tell his readers all about America’s former president, Theodore Roosevelt’s life. Louis Auchincloss did a great job at describing President T. Roosevelt’s life from Teddy’s childhood, his life before presidency, to all of Teddy’s accomplishments as president, and finally to his life after his
As a society, we often judge people solely by what is said of them or by them; but not by what they did. We forget to take into account the legacy that one leaves behind when they sometimes fail at completing the current task. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the charismatic man who stood at the helm of American government during the most trying decade in our brief history, the 1930s, set out to help the “common man” through various programs. Many historians, forgetting the legacy of the “alphabet soup” of agencies that FDR left behind, claim that he did not fix the Great Depression and therefore failed in his goal. What this essay desires to argue is that those historians are completely right. Through his many programs designed to help the economy, laborers, and all people lacking civil rights, President Roosevelt did not put an end to the Great Depression; however he did adapt the federal government to a newly realized role of protector for the people.
The first thing realized by the president that he mentioned the fact that people want to see him speaking honestly and he expressly made use of worlds i.e. sincerity and honesty. Roosevelt mentioned about the fear and regarded that our biggest fear is the fear itself. He is playing a paternalistic role in this speech and he is acting just like a parent calms the fear of his kid. He has numerously used the word
... to reorganize and redistribute. In his campaign speech, Roosevelt indicated that people’ living conditions were improved by hydroelectricity; he confidently said that people would continue to help for “the crippled, the blind, the unemployed, and the aged.”[ Richard Polenberg, The Era of Franklin D. Roosevelt 1933-1945, 55.] Roosevelt’ words showed that some of his goals were accomplished-- the TVA brought hydroelectricity which could be used to control floods; the Social Security Act provided welfare to people who needed helps. Roosevelt’s proposal about rights in An Economic Bill of Rights was a response to movement organized by people suffered from discrimination. Actually, people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviors were all important things which strongly affected the president. These three influential speeches exposed social changes at that time.
This paper is an analysis of the inaugural address of the former president Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR). We will focus on the main historical events that were happening, and how he addressed those issues in his speech. In his speech he used appeals to grow closer to the crowd he was speaking too. We will state the quotes he used and announce what kind of appeal that it is from. FDR uses words and phrases to pull the crowd in and I will discuss the effects of those words and what they had on the crowd. Finally we will talk about the overall quality and effectiveness of the speech and how it was such a great speech used.
...nd his wife hardly had time to spend together. A quote that stands out is the quote that he made at his first inaugural Address on March 4th, 1933 where he said, “ The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He gave hope and a sense of pride to the American people that everything was going to be alright even in a time such as the Great Depression and with the future uncertain. It takes a great leader to accomplish what Franklin D. Roosevelt had accomplished and not every president that is put in the same situation can achieve the success that he has accomplished, even with a disability that might feel limiting. It is not easy being a leader with everyone looking up too you and expecting you to know every move. Being a great leader is taking what you are dealt with and turning it into greatness and Franklin D. Roosevelt is an exceptional example of a leader.
Theodore Roosevelt stepped into head of office on September 19, 1901 when President William McKinley was assassinated. He was the youngest man to become president. His motto was “speak softly but carry a big stick.” President Roosevelt would come into power offering America the square deal. He would take the power away from the industrialists as he controlled big business from the White House. He would soon become known as a TrustBuster. Roosevelt used American power for American interests and was quoted as saying, “I am an American first and last. “ Although some historians argue that Roosevelt acted like a six-year-old throughout his presidency and that he didn’t think things through, ie “he thought with his hips”, one can admire the tremendous leadership qualities that Teddy Roosevelt had. First, he was a very bold man who graduated magna cum laude from Harvard. The average citizen was aware of what a “positive, warm and tough, authoritative and funny” president that they had leading them. His leadership qualities stemmed from his time as a New York state Assembly man, a deputy sheriff, a ...