Historians and scholars have often debated the success and failures of Franklin Roosevelt’s presidency since 1945. A number of scholars argue that he created jobs, boosted the economy, and helped America get back onto the road of becoming a great nation. On the other hand, it can be argued that his plans and ideas to create jobs only lasted for the short term and his acts created long-term problems. This paper will discuss Roosevelt’s life, his reforms, and both the positive or negative outcome those actions had on America. However, it must be stated, for the struggles America was going through, and the perseverance they held to triumph over their trials, was in part due to Roosevelt’s boundless leadership as president. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a prodigious president. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born in New York on January 30th in 1882. His family was from wealthy New Yorkers on both sides. Groton boarding school and his “private tutors provided him with almost all his formative education” (Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt). After general schooling he attended Harvard University and achieved a Bachelor’s degree within only three years. While at Harvard he met Eleanor, who would be influential in his life and presidency for many years. Columbia Law School only lasted 3 years because he passed the bar exam for New York. The next year in 1905, Mrs. Eleanor Roosevelt was made official. His wife Eleanor helped him gain people’s trust. She showed great concern for people. Their suffering was her suffering and by her activism she helped her husband succeed. Together they had six children and only “five of whom survived infancy” (Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt). In 1921 he was diagnosed with Poliomyelitis. With much effort ... ... middle of paper ... ...ession and War, 1929-1945. New York: Oxford UP, 1999. Print. McElvaine, Robert S. The Great Depression: America, 1929-1941. [New York, N.Y.]: Times, 1984. Print. Perr, Jon. "Glenn Beck on FDR: In 1945, Americans Were "Glad He's Dead" | Crooks and Liars." Crooks and Liars. N.p., 22 May 2010. Web. 19 Sept. 2013. "Proposing the United Nations Concept." The United States and the Founding of the United Nations, August 1941 - October 1945. U.S Department of State, 20 Jan. 2009. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. "Roosevelt, Franklin Delano." The Columbia Encyclopedia. New York: Columbia University Press, 2013.Credo Reference. Web. 20 September 2013. Silber, William L. "Why Did FDR’s Bank Holiday Succeed?" Why Did FDR’s Bank Holiday Succeed? Federal Reserve Bank of New York, July 2009. Web. 01 Nov. 2013. "The Works Progress Administration (WPA)." PBS. PBS, n.d. Web. 02 Nov. 2013.
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)
As the wife of a popular United States president, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt was born in New York City, October 11, 1884, and died November 7, 1962. She was an active worker for social causes. She was the niece of President Theodore Roosevelt, and was raised by her maternal grandmother after the premature death of her parents. In 1905 she married her cousin Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They had six children, but one of them died in infancy. Although she was extremely shy, Eleanor worked hard and became a well known and admired humanitarian. (Webster III, 100).
Theodore's first wife was Alice Hathaway Lee, they married on Roosevelt's 22nd birthday. His mother and Alice Hathaway Lee died on the same day in 1884. This caused him to decide to leave politics and to go to the Dakotas, whilst there he became a rancher. He later returns to New York City and runs for mayor, he doesn't win though, he loses third with 60,000 votes.
"Theodore Roosevelt." Presidential Administration Profiles for Students, edited by Kelle S. Sisung and Gerda-Ann Raffaelle, Gale, 2003. U.S. History in Context, link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/BT2304100034/UHIC?u=olat15213&xid=0a102ad7. Accessed 16 Oct.
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.
"Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt." Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum. fdrlibrary. Web. 20 Nov 2013. .
During the 1920’s, America was a prosperous nation going through the “Big Boom” and loving every second of it. However, this fortune didn’t last long, because with the 1930’s came a period of serious economic recession, a period called the Great Depression. By 1933, a quarter of the nation’s workers (about 40 million) were without jobs. The weekly income rate dropped from $24.76 per week in 1929 to $16.65 per week in 1933 (McElvaine, 8). After President Hoover failed to rectify the recession situation, Franklin D. Roosevelt began his term with the hopeful New Deal. In two installments, Roosevelt hoped to relieve short term suffering with the first, and redistribution of money amongst the poor with the second. Throughout these years of the depression, many Americans spoke their minds through pen and paper. Many criticized Hoover’s policies of the early Depression and praised the Roosevelts’ efforts. Each opinion about the causes and solutions of the Great Depression are based upon economic, racial and social standing in America.
Having gone through severe unemployment, food shortages, and a seemingly remiss President Hoover, the American people were beginning to lose hope. But sentiments began to turn as FDR stepped into office and implemented his New Deal programs. FDR and his administration responded to the crisis by executing policies that would successfully address reform, relief, and, unsuccessfully, recovery. Although WWII ultimately recovered America from its depression, it was FDR’s response with the New Deal programs that stopped America’s economic downfall, relieved hundreds of Americans, reformed many policies, and consequently expanded government power.
This take on Roosevelt’s policies highlights the perceived negative effects. This article does not necessarily support the theory of an ‘anti-business’ president, but it does shed some light on some of the arguments for the failure of Roosevelt’s policies. It also gives credence to other motivations behind Roosevelt’s policies.
Our society has consisted of a great number of presidents who have changed the United States by helping our economy, but the one I feel who had the most influence was Franklin D. Roosevelt. F.D.R. was the 32nd president of the United States and remained in office for twelve years. He was born on January 30, 1882, at the family estate in Hyde Park, New York. His early education was by governesses and tutors, which caused him to have little contact with children his age. F.D.R. traveled frequently to Europe with his parents, lived in New York City during the winter months, and spent summers at their home on the Canadian Island of Campobello. At the age of 14, he attended a boarding school. Between 1900-1904, F.D.R. attended Harvard and attained a degree in business. While at Harvard, he fell in love with his 2nd cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt and got married in 1905. He then attended law school at Columbia, until he quit in the spring of 1907. However, he later passed the New York state bar examination and took a job at a prominent Wall Street law firm. For the first time in his life he came into contact with attorneys who represented the working poor. By 1910, he was 28 years old and beginning to feel very restless in his life. He then...
The modern presidency reached its initial fulfillment during the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt. Under the stimulus of the New Deal, World War II, and the entrepreneurial leadership of Franklin Roosevelt, there was a huge expans...
Leuchtenburg, William. Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal. New York: Harper and Row. 1963.
"No business which depends for existence on paying less than living wages to its workers has any right to continue in this country," - Franklin D. Roosevelt ("Thinkexist.com"). In the middle of the deepest economic recession in the history of the United States, Franklin D. Roosevelt took office and did everything in his power to try and turn the country around. Roosevelt was a very intelligent man and the country believed he would lead them out of the Great Depression (Brinkley). Roosevelt inspired the nation to make drastic changes during the Great Depression with his extensive knowledge, understanding of the people's suffering, and new government reforms.
From the very beginning of his time in the presidential spotlight, Theodore Roosevelt signified the Progressive goal and ambition. Often times, Roosevelt’s presidency is labeled as accidental or ironic. This irony is present in the fact that he was given the role of vice president to William McKinley simply because Roosevelt’s rising popularity and progressive ideals were seen as a threat by McKinley. The McKinley administration figured that they could silence the growing progressive voice Roosevelt embodied by giving him the menial position of vice president. So, it was seen as a shock when McKinley was suddenly assassinated, six months into his second term, and Roosevelt rose to power bringing with him new excitement and power to the Presidency (Theodore Roosevelt ). It is exactly this surge of excitement and charisma which made Roosevelt one of America’s most unforgettable presidents. His presidential career and attitude can be described by the phrase “steward of the people” which he aimed to embody throughout his term, this meant that Roosevelt made his primary goal to maintain the public good to the fullest extent of his power (Theodore Roosevelt ). Roosevelt’s character and contributions to the Progressive campaign are both equally important parts of American history and will be explored throughout this paper.
Franklin Roosevelt’s “optimism and activism that helped restore the badly shaken confidence of the nation” (pg. 467 Out of Many), was addressed in the New Deal, developed to bring about reform to the American standard of living and its low economy. It did not only make an impact during the Great Depression. Although, many of the problems addressed in the New Deal might have been solved, those with the long lasting effect provide enough evidence to illustrate how great a success the role of the New Deal played out in America’s history to make it what it is today.