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Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882- April 12, 1945) Political Party: Democrat Terms of Office: March 4, 1933-April 12, 1945 Vice Presidents: John N. Garner (1933-1941); Henry A. Wallace (1941-1945); Harry Truman (1945) Picture: ( [] )

Franklin D. Roosevelt was a notable President of the United States. He introduced his New Deal ideas to America and attempted to get the nation back on its feet. As the only President to break the two term tradition, FDR showed to be the man America wanted. Through his New Deal reforms and work during the depression, as well as his handling of World War II, FDR deserves a “B-” for his presidency.
 * Thesis **

Franklin D. Roosevelt entered his presidency during the years of the Great Depression. Therefore, many of his goals were aimed to help lessen the burden of the crisis. One ambition was to have banks open on a more stable basis. This goal was achieved when Roosevelt called the Hundred Days Congress members into session who produced much legislation to deal with the crisis. FDR then looked to implement the Three R’s: relief, recovery, and reform. This objective was also reached. Roosevelt and the Hundred Days Congress passed much legislation to support the Three R’s. FDR also sought to inflate the currency of the United States because he thought that it would relieve debtors and stimulate new production. He sought to achieve inflation by having the Treasury purchase gold at elevated price. The dollar price of gold thus went up from $21 an ounce in 1933, to $35 an ounce in 1934. This plan ultimately did cause inflation because gold holders turned in their gold at the increased price. “Sound money” individuals were resentful of this policy. In February of 1934, FDR turned the nation back to a limited gold standard for international trade only.
 * Goals **

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s relationship with Congress was fairly good in his first term. FDR was able to pass many acts during his first term under the Hundred Days Congress. He began by signing the Emergency Banking Relief Act, which gave FDR the power to regulate banking transactions and foreign exchanges, as well as to reopen solvent banks. Also dealing with the banks, Roosevelt passed the Glass-Steagall Banking Reform Act. In response to unemployment the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was created. It provided employment in government camps for nearly 3 million uniformed youthful males. Additionally, the Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA), the Civil Works Administration (CWA) the Public Works Administration (PWA) the Works Progress Administration (WPA) all looked to help unemployment. The National Recovery Administration (NRA) aimed to help in the areas of industry, labor, and unemployment. FDR further sought to help certain groups of people such as farmers by creating the Home Owners Loan Corporation and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA). Roosevelt even tried to support the Indians by passing the Indian Reorganization Act, which encouraged tribes to create local self governments and to preserve their native traditions. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was also created. The TVA produced employment, cheap electricity, low cost housing, restoration of eroded soil, improved navigation, and flood control. Also, FDR formally recognized the Soviet Union in 1933. A year later in 1934, Congress passed the Tydings –McDuffie Act, giving independence to the Philippines. In Roosevelt’s second term, his association with the Congress was a little less grand, although Democrats controlled Congress again. He received opposition in Congress and as a result, less legislation was passed. Roosevelt asked Congress for legislation to allow him to add another justice to the Supreme Court for every existing member over the age of 70 who refused to retire. This showed to be a poor move on FDR’s part because the issue brought up many charges of dishonesty, hurting his relationship with Congress. Also occurring in his second term, the economy took a downturn, which was branded the “Roosevelt Recession” (“depression-within-the-depression”) in 1937. This recession also damaged his association with Congress. Roosevelt was finally able to pass some legislation in his second term, such as the Reorganization Act of 1939. The Hatch Act was additionally adopted in 1939, which forbade federal officials from active political campaigning and soliciting, as well as prohibited the use of government funds for political intentions and the accepting campaign contributions from individuals obtaining relief payments. The Neutrality Acts of 1935, 1936, and 1937 as well as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 were also passed. Roosevelt was the only President in history to break the two term tradition. In his third term, the crisis of World War II had erupted. Roosevelt’s relationship with Congress was moderate during his third term. The Lend Lease Bill, which allowed the United States to lend arms to democratic nations and then receive them back again when the war was over, caused much debate in Congress. This bill was approved; however, in 1941. The Atlantic Charter also resulted in confrontation between liberals, who supported it, and isolationists, who condemned it. The Japanese assault on Pearl Harbor actually improved FDR’s relationship with Congress. The upset Congress declared war the day following the attack. Congress’s decision for war was almost completely unanimous, uniting Congress and FDR. In FDR’s third term he vetoed the Revenue Act of 1943; however, his veto was overridden. Roosevelt used his veto power a total of 635 times throughout his four terms and was only overruled nine times. Since FDR’s first three terms weren’t enough, Roosevelt won a fourth term as President. His connection to Congress in his last term was fairly good due to the fact that the U.S. and Allies were making progress in WWII. The war was eventually won (although FDR passes away before the end of the war) which contributed to the good relationship with Congress. The Yalta Conference in 1945 caused controversy; however, hurting his association with Congress. Most Positive Outcome ** The most positive outcome that resulted due to Roosevelt’s presidency was the events and the outcome of World War II. At the beginning of WWII, the United States aimed to remain neutral. As the fighting progressed, Americans soon realized that their entrance into the war was inevitable. The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor showed to be the last straw. Without warning, Japanese bombers assaulted Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Congress now acknowledged that the war had been forced upon the United States. On December 11, 1941 Congress declared war and joined the Allied forces (the United States, Britain, France, and the USSR). The Japanese attack resulted in the unity of Americans; now the majority of Americans were ready to take on the war. The United States entered WWII with the plan to “get Germany first,” while just enough force would be sent to the Pacific to maintain the war on Japan. Some of the first progresses of the Americans in the war were the naval battles in the Coral Sea and at Midway. An attack on North Africa was soon decided on as a second front. What was left of the German-Italian army surrendered in 1943. Also in 1943, Roosevelt met with Winston Churchill of Great Britain and the two agreed to set up the Pacific war, invade Sicily, boost the pressure on Italy, and insist on the “unconditional surrender of the enemy.” After the Allies were victorious in Africa, they now looked on to Europe. In August 1943, Sicily fell. Mussolini, the dictator of Italy, was deposed (shortly before the fall of Sicily) and Italy surrendered unconditionally. During late 1943, Roosevelt met with Churchill and Stalin (USSR) at the Teheran Conference. Roosevelt, along with the others, agreed that the Soviets would attack Germany from the east, while the U.S. and Britain attack from the west. The forces moved on towards Germany. On December 16, 1944, Hitler (German dictator) threw everything he had left at the weakest point of the American lines in the Ardennes Forest. The line was surprised by this attack and was driven back, creating a bulge, but were reinforced ten days later defeating Hitler’s troops. The end of the war with Germany was in sight; however, on April 12, 1945, Roosevelt passed away due to a cerebral hemorrhage. Germany unconditionally surrendered on May 7, 1945. Although FDR was not around to see the surrender of Germany, he played a large part in the events leading up to its demise. FDR’s Good Neighbor Policy also had positive results. He was able to renew the United States’ relationship with Latin America and build on (previous President) Hoover’s work. In 1934 all marines were removed from Haiti. In the same year, the Cubans were freed from the Platt Amendment. In the later year of 1938, Mexico took American oil properties and many Americans called for intervention. Roosevelt was able to resist these demands, showing again the principles of the Good Neighbor Policy.
 * Relationship with Congress **

The most negative outcome of Roosevelt’s presidency was his plan to add younger judges to the Supreme Court. FDR felt that his (first) reelection meant that the nation liked his New Deal reforms and that he should continue them. Roosevelt however, believed that the elderly individuals in the Supreme Court were in his way of progress. FDR requested that Congress allow him to add a new justice to the Supreme Court for every existing member over the age of 70 who refused to retire. This would change the amount of Supreme Court justices to 15. Roosevelt’s plan was greatly disputed and brought up accusations of dishonesty. He was criticized for trying to tear down the checks and balances of the three government branches. Individuals also charged that Roosevelt was “becoming a dictator” by attempting to push around the Supreme Court. This episode proved to be a negative result of Roosevelt’s presidency. Another poor event of FDR’s presidency was the “Roosevelt Recession.” This “depression-within-the depression” was caused by government polices. FDR later proclaimed a program to stimulate the economy through intended deficit spending; however, it still showed to be a negative aspect for his presidency.
 * Most Negative Outcome **

Roosevelt had a large impact on future administrations and generations. The 20th Amendment was passed under FDR. This amendment reduced the time period before the inauguration of Presidents by six weeks. Future Presidents would now be inaugurated on January 20th, instead of March 4th. Roosevelt’s New Deal measures, such as the Social Security Act, also had influence on upcoming generations. Designed to lessen the burden of future depressions, the act provided for federal-state unemployment insurance. Additionally, eligible elderly individuals were to collect monthly payments from Washington. Conditions were also arranged for the blind, physically handicapped, delinquent children, and other dependent individuals. Social Security is still around today, along with other New Deal measures; therefore they proving to have had a long lasting and future impact. Also, at the Yalta Conference, Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin proposed plans for the creation of the United Nations, which is still around today.
 * Future Impact **

In conclusion, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a prominent President of the United States. He helped America deal with the Great depression (although he was unable to completely resolve it). FDR’s New Deal measures additionally assisted the needy nation. His work in World War II contributed to the defeat of Germany. On the downside, his proposal for younger Supreme Court justices was a negative aspect of his presidency. Therefore, due to the positive and negative events of Franklin D. Roosevelt’s terms, he deserves a “B-” for his presidency.
 * Conclusion **

"American Experience . The Presidents . Franklin Delano Roosevelt." //PBS//. Web. 16 May 2010. . Bailey, Thomas A. //The American Pageant//. 12th ed. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2002. Print. "Franklin D. Roosevelt." //The White House//. Web. 16 May 2010. . "Franklin Roosevelt." //American History and World History at Historycentral.com the Largest and Most Complete History Site on the Web//. Web. 16 May 2010. . "The New Deal." //United States// //History//. Web. 16 May 2010. . //U.S.// //National Park Service - Experience Your America//. Web. 16 May 2010. .
 * Bibliography **