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).
Although the unemployment rates in America were higher in 1939, whilst FDR was in office, he is still regarded in America as one of the greatest US presidents of all time. This is partly because of the reforms he introduced through the New Deal, reforms that still shape the way that America operates today. The New Deal of 1933 included reforms such as the Emergency Banking Act which ensured a number of government projects in relation to infrastructure which in turn generated a number of new jobs. For the first time in American history the government took on responsibility for the economic struggle faced by many Americans and not leaving this responsibility up to the State governments. FDR came in to the presidency with a goal and a plan to help make the nation more functional and unified. Furthermore FDR was an extremely charismatic person who generated a sense of hope and unity for Americans. FDR also led America into the Second World War, a war that was essential in shaping the national identity of the United States of America.
FDR, while he was president, faced some extremely difficult challenges arguably some of the worst in history. The struggles he overcame whilst remaining relatively unscathed in regard to public opinion is pretty astounding. Some of his New Deal initiatives are still debated to this very day; however, he created a precedent for both a welfare state in the United States and the general expectations of presidents thereafter to solve people’s problems, to go beyond a state-centric approach to policy. His leadership during WWII and his ability to overcome Isolationist opposition in order to aid Britain (economically, pre-entering WWII) is also extremely important and aids in the memory of him as a great politician.
Despite the increase in unemployment rates in 1939, FDR’s New Deal reforms reshaped the relationship between the American citizens and their government. In a stark contrast to president Hoover, who saw the Depression as a moral failing of the individual, it was FDR’s contention that poverty stems rather from economic failings, and that it is up to the federal government to fuel the economy and help the poor. FDR’s New Deal policies, such as the Emergency Banking Act and the PWA ensured that for the first time the American government was aiding those in need by re-establishing confidence in the American banking system and putting jobless citizens to work.
The way FDR changed America's future with his New Deal and helping America through the Great Depression has immortalised him as a great president. Though unemployment was greater in 1939 than in 1929, the years between those dates saw a lot more unemployment and hardship than any other era America had witnessed. He brought in a welfare system for the people when the entire system was crumbling and helped the banks get back on track by trying to regain the people’s trust in the banks. FDR also repealed the prohibition act which would have made many Americans happy despite the dire circumstances that everyone was facing.
Throughout his presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt successfully executed as series of strategic domestic and international policies. Evident through his economic domestic program, the New Deal, his political platform via the Good Neighbour Policy, and the implementation of Neutrality legislations, FDR gained public momentum for his determination to avoid war; “We are not isolationists except in so far as we seek to isolate ourselves completely from war.” However, as Roosevelt’s political inhibitions wavered and the political situation in Europe worsened, the President played a vital role in both the enactment and repeal of American neutrality and intervention in Europe that ultimately revived the American economy from the depths of the Depression. Further, FDR's initiative to improve social welfare in America through his introduction of Social Security resonates amongst Americans today.
Perhaps the most significant reason for the remembrance of Franklin D. Roosevelt as one of history's greatest American presidents is the way in which his policies and charisma not only changed the America of the 1930s and 40s, but have had lasting effects that have carried into the American government we know today. His introduction of the New Deal meant that an improvement in America's employment, economic and welfare problems was no longer seen as an impossibility. The financial and social issues at the heart of many Americans were also brought into the limelight by a government that seemed to now be putting a much stronger emphasis on the plight of its own citizens. FDR's charisma and what we now know as his fight for the presidency in the face of serious illness and disability are characteristics that portray him as one who had troubles of his own, yet still sought to introduce a welfare state in order to help both the average American, and those less fortunate.
One of the reasons why FDR is so revered in US presidential history is his first 100 days in office, which has been a benchmark in which later US presidents have been judged. In those first 100 days of his Presidency, Roosevelt introduced 14 major pieces of legislation, all passed by Congress, which transformed the role of the federal government in American life and caused a shift in the balance of power within the federal and state governments. FDR's quick response to the Great Depression, where he took the US off the gold standard and gave existing and new cabinet departments and agencies power to intervene in economic markets, restored hope and confidence in the American people
The results of the 1936 election and current polls like that of Siena College Expert Poll (1982-2010) reflect the notion that FDR was the greatest US President ever. There are several reasons for this. (1) The 'New Deal(s)' injected new confidence into the US and attempted to revive the nation when it felt hopeless, implementing such changes took an extraordinary display of optimism and self confidence by FDR. (2) FDR used and manipulated the media to his advantage, effectively polarising the role of the president from there on out. (3) FDR took initiative and responsibility to help people through things like the social security act in the backdrop of the great depression, this made people look to the white house and the federal government for answers/help rather than looking towards the states. Although many scholars nowadays dispute the effectiveness of many of his initiatives, he still remains popular. Another way of looking at this question is to analyse other US presidents, perhaps they were simply dwarfed by the radical changes made by FDR to help Americans, especially in the backdrop of such a dark time period for US citizens.
It could also be argued that FDR’s ideologies and political convictions also contributed to his magnificent first 100 days and the continued importance of the new deal in American politics. In a climate where Americans were suffering the consequences of the great depression, FDR identified ‘economic royalists’ as the nation’s oppressors and argued that ‘political equality’ was meaningless in the face of ‘economic inequality’. The new deal was a radical departure from the widely held reverence for individual initiative and acknowledged that the federal government held responsibility for ensuring the basic welfare of Americans – a role previously assumed by state governments. FDR was able to relate himself to his constituents and brought federal politics right into people’s living rooms with his fireside chats. I think these achievements and ideologies changed American Politics extensively and have cemented FDR as America’s favourite President.
Although in 1939 unemployment rates had increased dramatically since 1929, and during the time that FDR was in office, he is still regarded and was regarded then as a great leader for his social and economic policies and his charisma. FDR was faced with arguably one of the toughest worldwide situations while he was in office, World War II, yet due to his charismatic and pragmatic nature, he was successful in aiding Western Europe to victory. FDR’s New Deal policies reshaped the American idea that the government is responsible for aiding the less fortunate. FDR brought back a sense of trust and connection between the American government and its citizens.
FDR is remembered as one of America's greatest President's for a few key reasons.
1) He preached a degree of isolationist philosophy regarding American involvement in WW2; when attacked, he responded with alacrity, immediately moving towards intervention. Though we know some of his policies were in fact interventionist, his ability to read and respond to the American people's desires makes him a popular and populist president.
2) Employment figures don't tell the complete story; while it is true that unemployment was higher at the begining of the war than in '29, the creation and application of a welfare state meant that those unemployed were still guaranteed a basic standard of living. In my opinion the impact of his numerous reforms is less about getting people into work, and more about what is done when they weren't.
Although the unemployment rate was significantly greater in 1939 than the decade earlier, FDR's introduction of the Welfare State allowed unemployed people to continue on with life without such a huge sense of desperation. The welfare state was a groundbreaking initiative that saw the Federal government getting directly involved in the citizen's financial struggles. This in combination with fireside chats and press conferences gave the American public a sense of security that their government acknowledged and cared about the struggles they were facing. It took the exclusiveness away from the White House and and put it into every day people's homes. I believe this personal touch created so much faith in the people about FDR, and vice versa, that it allowed both sides to have the confidence to face the challenges posed to them in a more progressive manner. The New Deal, The Emergency Banking Act, Welfare and their involvement in the war are just a few of many progressive acts from FDR, and they helped pull America out of the Depression which is why FDR is cemented as one of the greatest Presidents.
Much of the reason why FDR is widely viewed as one of America’s greatest presidents is regarding the time in which he was president. His tenure as United States president was one where the country faced many challenges, and he successfully met these challenges. Despite the fact that employment was considerably higher in 1939, FDR achieved so much as president regarding progress in a welfare system and more structure and stability to the American people. More so than any other president FDR altered the connection and relationship between the government and the people, with his notion of economic improvements by the government to help the people fuelling these changes.
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.
Although the unemployment rates in America were higher in 1939, whilst FDR was in office, he is still regarded in America as one of the greatest US presidents of all time. This is partly because of the reforms he introduced through the New Deal, reforms that still shape the way that America operates today. The New Deal of 1933 included reforms such as the Emergency Banking Act which ensured a number of government projects in relation to infrastructure which in turn generated a number of new jobs. For the first time in American history the government took on responsibility for the economic struggle faced by many Americans and not leaving this responsibility up to the State governments. FDR came in to the presidency with a goal and a plan to help make the nation more functional and unified. Furthermore FDR was an extremely charismatic person who generated a sense of hope and unity for Americans. FDR also led America into the Second World War, a war that was essential in shaping the national identity of the United States of America.
ReplyDeleteFDR, while he was president, faced some extremely difficult challenges arguably some of the worst in history. The struggles he overcame whilst remaining relatively unscathed in regard to public opinion is pretty astounding. Some of his New Deal initiatives are still debated to this very day; however, he created a precedent for both a welfare state in the United States and the general expectations of presidents thereafter to solve people’s problems, to go beyond a state-centric approach to policy. His leadership during WWII and his ability to overcome Isolationist opposition in order to aid Britain (economically, pre-entering WWII) is also extremely important and aids in the memory of him as a great politician.
ReplyDeleteDespite the increase in unemployment rates in 1939, FDR’s New Deal reforms reshaped the relationship between the American citizens and their government. In a stark contrast to president Hoover, who saw the Depression as a moral failing of the individual, it was FDR’s contention that poverty stems rather from economic failings, and that it is up to the federal government to fuel the economy and help the poor. FDR’s New Deal policies, such as the Emergency Banking Act and the PWA ensured that for the first time the American government was aiding those in need by re-establishing confidence in the American banking system and putting jobless citizens to work.
ReplyDeleteThe way FDR changed America's future with his New Deal and helping America through the Great Depression has immortalised him as a great president. Though unemployment was greater in 1939 than in 1929, the years between those dates saw a lot more unemployment and hardship than any other era America had witnessed. He brought in a welfare system for the people when the entire system was crumbling and helped the banks get back on track by trying to regain the people’s trust in the banks. FDR also repealed the prohibition act which would have made many Americans happy despite the dire circumstances that everyone was facing.
ReplyDeleteThroughout his presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt successfully executed as series of strategic domestic and international policies. Evident through his economic domestic program, the New Deal, his political platform via the Good Neighbour Policy, and the implementation of Neutrality legislations, FDR gained public momentum for his determination to avoid war; “We are not isolationists except in so far as we seek to isolate ourselves completely from war.” However, as Roosevelt’s political inhibitions wavered and the political situation in Europe worsened, the President played a vital role in both the enactment and repeal of American neutrality and intervention in Europe that ultimately revived the American economy from the depths of the Depression. Further, FDR's initiative to improve social welfare in America through his introduction of Social Security resonates amongst Americans today.
ReplyDeletePerhaps the most significant reason for the remembrance of Franklin D. Roosevelt as one of history's greatest American presidents is the way in which his policies and charisma not only changed the America of the 1930s and 40s, but have had lasting effects that have carried into the American government we know today. His introduction of the New Deal meant that an improvement in America's employment, economic and welfare problems was no longer seen as an impossibility. The financial and social issues at the heart of many Americans were also brought into the limelight by a government that seemed to now be putting a much stronger emphasis on the plight of its own citizens. FDR's charisma and what we now know as his fight for the presidency in the face of serious illness and disability are characteristics that portray him as one who had troubles of his own, yet still sought to introduce a welfare state in order to help both the average American, and those less fortunate.
ReplyDeleteOne of the reasons why FDR is so revered in US presidential history is his first 100 days in office, which has been a benchmark in which later US presidents have been judged. In those first 100 days of his Presidency, Roosevelt introduced 14 major pieces of legislation, all passed by Congress, which transformed the role of the federal government in American life and caused a shift in the balance of power within the federal and state governments. FDR's quick response to the Great Depression, where he took the US off the gold standard and gave existing and new cabinet departments and agencies power to intervene in economic markets, restored hope and confidence in the American people
ReplyDeleteThe results of the 1936 election and current polls like that of Siena College Expert Poll (1982-2010) reflect the notion that FDR was the greatest US President ever. There are several reasons for this. (1) The 'New Deal(s)' injected new confidence into the US and attempted to revive the nation when it felt hopeless, implementing such changes took an extraordinary display of optimism and self confidence by FDR. (2) FDR used and manipulated the media to his advantage, effectively polarising the role of the president from there on out. (3) FDR took initiative and responsibility to help people through things like the social security act in the backdrop of the great depression, this made people look to the white house and the federal government for answers/help rather than looking towards the states. Although many scholars nowadays dispute the effectiveness of many of his initiatives, he still remains popular. Another way of looking at this question is to analyse other US presidents, perhaps they were simply dwarfed by the radical changes made by FDR to help Americans, especially in the backdrop of such a dark time period for US citizens.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteIt could also be argued that FDR’s ideologies and political convictions also contributed to his magnificent first 100 days and the continued importance of the new deal in American politics.
DeleteIn a climate where Americans were suffering the consequences of the great depression, FDR identified ‘economic royalists’ as the nation’s oppressors and argued that ‘political equality’ was meaningless in the face of ‘economic inequality’. The new deal was a radical departure from the widely held reverence for individual initiative and acknowledged that the federal government held responsibility for ensuring the basic welfare of Americans – a role previously assumed by state governments. FDR was able to relate himself to his constituents and brought federal politics right into people’s living rooms with his fireside chats. I think these achievements and ideologies changed American Politics extensively and have cemented FDR as America’s favourite President.
Although in 1939 unemployment rates had increased dramatically since 1929, and during the time that FDR was in office, he is still regarded and was regarded then as a great leader for his social and economic policies and his charisma. FDR was faced with arguably one of the toughest worldwide situations while he was in office, World War II, yet due to his charismatic and pragmatic nature, he was successful in aiding Western Europe to victory. FDR’s New Deal policies reshaped the American idea that the government is responsible for aiding the less fortunate. FDR brought back a sense of trust and connection between the American government and its citizens.
ReplyDeleteFDR is remembered as one of America's greatest President's for a few key reasons.
ReplyDelete1) He preached a degree of isolationist philosophy regarding American involvement in WW2; when attacked, he responded with alacrity, immediately moving towards intervention. Though we know some of his policies were in fact interventionist, his ability to read and respond to the American people's desires makes him a popular and populist president.
2) Employment figures don't tell the complete story; while it is true that unemployment was higher at the begining of the war than in '29, the creation and application of a welfare state meant that those unemployed were still guaranteed a basic standard of living. In my opinion the impact of his numerous reforms is less about getting people into work, and more about what is done when they weren't.
Although the unemployment rate was significantly greater in 1939 than the decade earlier, FDR's introduction of the Welfare State allowed unemployed people to continue on with life without such a huge sense of desperation. The welfare state was a groundbreaking initiative that saw the Federal government getting directly involved in the citizen's financial struggles. This in combination with fireside chats and press conferences gave the American public a sense of security that their government acknowledged and cared about the struggles they were facing. It took the exclusiveness away from the White House and and put it into every day people's homes. I believe this personal touch created so much faith in the people about FDR, and vice versa, that it allowed both sides to have the confidence to face the challenges posed to them in a more progressive manner. The New Deal, The Emergency Banking Act, Welfare and their involvement in the war are just a few of many progressive acts from FDR, and they helped pull America out of the Depression which is why FDR is cemented as one of the greatest Presidents.
ReplyDeleteMuch of the reason why FDR is widely viewed as one of America’s greatest presidents is regarding the time in which he was president. His tenure as United States president was one where the country faced many challenges, and he successfully met these challenges. Despite the fact that employment was considerably higher in 1939, FDR achieved so much as president regarding progress in a welfare system and more structure and stability to the American people. More so than any other president FDR altered the connection and relationship between the government and the people, with his notion of economic improvements by the government to help the people fuelling these changes.
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.
ReplyDelete