Rajeev+D.+-+FDR+-+FA09

(January 30, 1882-April 12, 1945) **//Vice Presidents by term//**: John Garner (1st and 2nd), Henry Wallace (3rd), Harry Truman (4th)
 * //President://** Franklin D. Roosevelt
 * //Political Party://** Democrat
 * //Terms://** 4, 1933-1937, 1937-1941, 1941-1945, 1945-Death

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly called FDR, is arguably in the top five greatest presidents to ever live due to presiding over the role of Commander-in-Chief during the most difficult years in American history. FDR was charming, optimistic, interested in the people, and kept his composure under pressure. FDR, Theodore Roosevelt’s fifth cousin, deserves an A for his New Deal programs and helping to bring the country out of the worst Depression in U.S. history.

Coming into his first term, FDR had the task of alleviating the economic situation, regarding the Stock Market Crash. To help the economy, Roosevelt wanted to protect the gold reserve, which was dropping terrifyingly low. He ordered all private holdings of gold to be exchanged for paper money. This would cause inflation, which would help the people pay off their debts. Also Roosevelt said in his first inaugural address, “Our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously.” This goal was accomplished very well. When President Roosevelt passed the CCC, Civilian Conservation Corps, more than three million men aged 18-25 were employed. Their responsibility was to build roads, plant tress, and work on flood projects. These are all conservation projects, hence the name CCC. Also the Federal Emergency Relief Act helped to alleviate adult unemployment, by creating projects such public construction.

FDR’s relationship with the Hundred Days Congress was exceptional. He had the majority party in Congress for all of his congresses. Therefore, it is not possible to imagine how many great things happened for the betterment of the nation. Looking specifically at each congress, the numbers of Democrats vs. Republicans were… 73rd Congress- House of Rep: 313 D-117 R, Senate: 60 D-35 R 74th Congress- House of Rep: 322 D-103 R, Senate: 69 D-25 R 75th Congress- House of Rep: 334 D-88 R, Senate: 76 D-16 R 76th Congress- House of Rep: 262 D-169 R, Senate: 69 D-23 R 77th Congress- House of Rep: 267 D-162 R, Senate: 66 D-28 R 78th Congress- House of Rep: 222 D-209 R, Senate: 58 D-37 R 79th Congress- House of Rep: 242 D-191 R, Senate: 56 D-38 R Roosevelt had so much control over the Congress; one senator said that if Roosevelt told the members of Congress to commit suicide, they would acquiesce his command. During the first hundred days of his presidency, Roosevelt passed bills through Congress with the snap of his finger. He helped pass the Glass-Steagall Act, which restored the public’s confidence in American banks. This was the first step taken toward recovery. Recovery was achieved by “pump-priming,” or federal spending. Many relief acts were passed in order to help the current unemployment. These were the short-term goals of Roosevelt. The Federal Emergency Relief Act established the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. This administration gave states roughly three billion dollars to operate local work projects. With this act, the FERA provided work for twenty million people across the nation. Another important relief act was the CCC, or Civilian Conservation Corps. This act hired 250,000 unemployed young men to work on rural projects. Reform of the economy was much needed. This was one of the long-term goals. As a result, the National Recovery Administration was established. This put restrictions on industries, because the industries had to come up with codes to regulate fair competition. There were many other acts passed including the Home Owners’ Refinancing Act, Tennessee Valley Authority Act, Emergency Banking Relief Act, National Housing Act, Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act, Gold Reserve Act, etcetera.

Having been the president for three whole terms and part of a fourth, many positive things occurred for the nation. If one were selected, the most positive decision FDR made was his New Deal program. Coming into the presidency with a Depression and alleviating the situation is hard for any president to do so. Nevertheless, Roosevelt kept his composure under pressure. The first act he passed was the Emergency Banking Relief Act. This gave Roosevelt the power to regulate bank transactions and helped restore confidence in American banks once again. Another important legislation passed was the Federal Emergency Relief Act. This was aimed toward immediate relief rather than long term recovery. This gave roughly three billion dollars to states for direct payment to the public on work projects. With this act, more than twenty million people were employed. Very similar was the Works Progress Administration, which employed nearly nine million people. Although the New Deal did not end the Depression, it had some effect. It was actually World War II that ended the Depression.

If one were to be chosen, the most negative decision of Roosevelt was his foreign policy. Since there was a global depression in the 1930's, sixty six nations met in the summer of 1933 for the London Economic Conference. The foreign nations were eager to cooperate and attack the depression. They wanted to stabilize values of each nation's currency. Consequently, world trade would increase again. Roosevelt, pursing his inflation policy, refused to have anything to do with it. He didn't want to sacrifice American recovery for international relations as well as cooperation. This, in turn, increased nationalism as Roosevelt in a way promoted every-man-for-himself-ism. This played in the hands of various dictators, including Adolf Hitler, because now the nations were not united. Also Roosevelt's neutrality acts had somewhat of a bad effect. Since the United States declared itself to be neutral when the president proclaimed the existence of a war, it played in the hands of the mad dictators. They knew that since America was the top world power (surpassed Britain in the 1920's), they would have no trouble with their march until America got dragged into the war.

Roosevelt definitely had an effect for the upcoming presidents and lives of people in future generations. As already mentioned, Roosevelt shattered the sacred two-term tradition. His presidency consisted of four terms, having died on the fourth. Although no other president after FDR lasted in office for more than two terms, Roosevelt still defied the tradition. Also Roosevelt passed the Social Security Act, which is still in effect today. It helps the elderly who are unemployed. Other acts that are still in effect as of right now are the Securities and Exchange Commission and Tennessee Valley Authority Act. Also the United Nations was created after World War II to achieve world peace and stop wars between countries. It is still here today and thrives to do its best.

In conclusion, the nation was definitely better off at the end of FDR’s presidency. Coming into office, President Roosevelt had a huge task of getting the nation back on track. The Stock Market had crashed in Hoover’s presidency, Roosevelt’s predecessor, and he had the duty of soothing the pain.Roosevelt passed the New Deal, which was aimed toward immediate relief, long-range recovery, and reform. The New Deal did not directly end the Depression, as it was mobilization of the United States economy when they were dragged into the war. All in all, Roosevelt did his best for the betterment of the nation and therefore deserves an A for his terms in office.

Bibliography:

"Franklin D. Roosevelt | The White House." //The White House//. 20 Nov. 2009. [].
 * DeGregorio, William. __The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents__. Fort Lee: Barricade. 2005. **

"Franklin D. Roosevelt - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. Web. 6 Dec. 2009. .