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Franklin D. Roosevelt Birth: January 30, 1882 Death: April 12, 1945 Political Party: Democrat Terms: 4 terms (1933-1945) Vice Presidents: John N. Garner (1933-1941), Henry A. Wallace (1941-1945), Harry Truman (1945)

President Franklin D. Roosevelt became president at a very difficult time for all Americans. He was determined to get America out of the Great Depression and stay isolated from other countries. Franklin D. Roosevelt deserves an A- for his presidency.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt had three main goals during his presidency. His first main goal was to get the country out of the Great Depression. Roosevelt didn’t end the Great Depression, World War II did, but he did help provide many reliefs and jobs for Americans from the New Deal. His second main goal was to keep America out of foreign affairs. Roosevelt accomplished this by continuing Hoover’s Good Neighbor policy. He continued to remove the last of American troops from the Caribbean. His last goal was to keep America out of World War II. He tried to accomplish this by adopting a neutrality policy. “Congress passed five different Neutrality Acts that forbade American involvements in foreign conflicts.” But then in 1941 the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor, Roosevelt didn’t have a choice but to enter the war.

The relationship between Roosevelt and Congress was decent. During the Hundred Days, Congress passed many reform and relief legislation that Roosevelt presented to them. Congress just wanted to get America out of the Great Depression. But when Roosevelt tried to pack the Supreme Court his relationship with Congress went down. Many people were upset by this. After that many of Roosevelt’s New Deal reforms weren’t passed by Congress.

The most positive action Roosevelt made was his New Deal. It provided a direct federal relief to Americans. The New Deal included a banking holiday, which closed down all the banks for a week to see which banks were essentially sound and reopened them. The banking holiday also helped check further bank runs. The New Deal also provided many jobs for Americans. For example, the Civilian Conservation Corps hired three million young men to build roads, plant trees, and work on flood control. This action also built schools, playgrounds, and buildings. This action is still being used today. For example, Social Security and many of the buildings made are still being used. This action made by Roosevelt really helped Americans get back on their feet and start working again and making some money.

The most negative action Roosevelt made was his scheme of packing the Supreme Court. He wanted a bill passed enabling him to appoint up to six new justices. Many people were angered by this, even some of his supporters. This scheme prevented many New Deal reforms from passing. This scheme did not help him whatsoever. The scheme hurt him more than anyone else.

The decision that most impacted future presidential administrations was Roosevelt’s presidency of four terms. This was the closest things that America had experienced to a monarchy. Americans realized that they needed a law for how many terms a president can serve. This decision assisted the 22nd Amendment. The 22nd Amendment declared that a president can only serve two terms.

The country was better off after Roosevelt’s term because the effects of the New Deal program are still around today and are still being used. Also, the country was better off after his term because the 22nd Amendment passed which prevented from anyone from staying in power for a long period of time. Overall, President Franklin D. Roosevelt deserves an A-.

Bibliography DeGregorio, William A. //The Complete Book of U.S. Presidents //. Fort Lee, N.J: Barricade, 2005. “Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945).” __American President Online Reference Resource.__ 2010. Miller Center Public Affairs. 12 May 2010. < [] >. “Franklin Delano Roosevelt.” __The Presidents.__ 2003. PBS Online. 15 May 2010. < [] >.