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Franklin D. Roosevelt

Born: January 30, 1882 Death: April 12, 1945 Party: Democrat Terms: 4 Vice President(s)- 1st term: John Garner 2nd term: Henry Wallace 3rd term: Henry Wallace 4th term: Harry Truman

Presidential Rating:

Franklin D. Roosevelt came to the rescue when the roaring twenties ended, and the great depression began. The depression was caused by a mix of over-production, lack of international trade and debtors due to credit. By the previous ex-president Hoover, leaving the depression un-attended made the situation ten times worse. The country was in a time of chaos and panic and was looking for leadership. Not only did Roosevelt lead the nation through the great depression but also lead the way through WWII. He was the first president to break the tradition and serve four terms. For everything he has done for this country, he rightfully deserves an A.

Goals of the Presidency:

When stepping in to the oval office, the main concern of the tine was how to slow down or eventually stop the great depression. By doing so the presidents plan was called the three R’s; relief, recovery and reform. With in the first hundred days of his presidency he developed dozens of plans and acts known as the New Deal. The New Deal was created in order to restore jobs to more than 13,000,000 whom have lost them in 1932. It was also created to help businesses, banks, and to restore the economy and more importantly, hope to the American people. The New Deal was a huge success by 1935 stability was visible. However many began to oppose the New Deal fearing the fact the America was off the gold standard and deficits in the budget were allowed. Roosevelt however had another plan up his sleeve. He had more control over the bank, more work relief for the jobless, and also created Social Security for the disabled and elderly. Another goal was that he completely changed the Monroe Document and created the Good-Neighbor Policy. At that time America was still in isolation and wanted to stay out of the increasingly, worrisome European war. The Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, 1937 kept the U.S. at bay with Britain and France. But with the fall of France in 1940 and the Pearl Harbor attack in 1941 Roosevelt was ready to do everything in his power to stop Germany and Japan.

Relationship with Congress:

The relationship between congress and president Roosevelt is a good one. Both saw the importance of accomplishing things to benefit the nation and pull it together through these hard times. With the new deal congress and the president met for 100 days and came up with revolutionary acts such as the Emergency Banking Act or the Public Works Administration. Both also had similar views on neutrality acts. But as the war progressed Roosevelt became more eager to help the enviable war while some of congress still wanted to remain in the past of isolationism and neutrality.

Presidents Actions:

Roosevelt accomplished many great things especially during the Depression. Some of his more successful Acts would include the public works administration, the civilian conservation corporation and the emergency banking relief act. All of these acts helped with jobs, improved the economy and banks. Also during WWII some of Roosevelt’s more memorable actions would be the Quebec Conference in August of 1943 planned the memorable Normandy invasion and the Yalta conference which the President discussed the post war action needed to be taken. Roosevelt also started the United Nations hoping for constant peace. The negative actions the Roosevelt performed was trying to put more men into the Supreme Court that saw more his view points. He believed that there was a lack of support within the court. When news of this broke out he received harsh criticism and eventually gave up on trying to put more supportive men in.

Future Impact:

With in everything Roosevelt did the things that had the everlasting impact would be the social security system. With out it the elderly and disabled would be without money and support for all their hard work previously done. Another future accomplishment would be the starting of the United Nations a huge critical piece in today’s society. Roosevelt envisioned before his death that there would be peace and the United Nations could be used as a tool to communicate and do so.

Conclusion:

Although the nation went through the turmoil of the Great Depression and World War 2 it was Franklin D. Roosevelt that lead the way. Most of his actions were positive and restored faith into the government. After WWII the United States came out of isolation, definatly had more power and was out of a depression. Roosevelts releif, recover, reform ideas were a success and the country should be in gratitude of his presidency.

Works Cited:

http://www.historycentral.com/bio/presidents/f-roosevelt.html http//www.whitehouse.gov/about/presidents/franklindroosevelt http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h1578.html