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FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT (1882-1945)

Democrat

In office: March 5, 1933 - April 12, 1945 (4 terms)

Vice Presidents: John Garner (33-41) Henry Wallace (41-45) Truman (45)

Franklin Roosevelt deserves an A for his Presidency. He was a great leader in an incredible crisis during american history. He was a president of the people and gave many who had near to nothing hope. He worked from the begining of his presidency to the very end to improve the country.

He was first elected in November of 1932, by the time he took office the country was a distaster with many unemployed and tremendous amounts of banks closed. He had three main goals known as the three R's: recovery relief and reform. He began on the New Deal. He wanted to develop a program to bring recovery to agriculture and business, relief to the unemployed and reform which he demonstrated with his Tenesse Valley Act. He quickly achieved some recovery but business began to turn against him because he took the country off the gold standard.

He had a democratic majority in congress during his presidency. Much legislation was passes in oder to help the country. His first hundred days produced important legislation such as The Emergency Banking Act which issued bailouts to large failing companies. Also passed was legislation to help the unemployed such as the CCC the PWA and FERA. These programs spent millions and billions of dollars but gave the unemployed jobs improving the countries roads, schools, and other areas. To help banking business and banking acts such as the Securities Act of 1933 to prevent another stock market crash, the Glass-Steagall Act, National Indrustrial Recovery Act which was anti deflation and reversed anti trust laws. The AAA was designed to help farmers stablize through the economy of the depression. The social secruties act helped those such as old age unemployment and fatherless children.

The greatest action of his presidency was The National Emergency Banking Act. It helped failing companies and took the country off the gold standard. Within a week of this act 1/3 of the closed banks were reopened. This act gave people hope. Finally something was being done to help them. It allowed them to once again trust the banks. The legislation of the act was good but the real significance of it was just the hope it gave to americans.

The worst action was the AAA. Although the govenment was trying to help farmers in the depression they basically were paying them not to farm. They bought their crops and did nothing with them. Animals were pointlessly slughtered. At this time millions of people were starving. The government was doing what was best for the country but there could have been a better way to do it.

The most lasting action of his presidency was Social Security Act which is still in effect today. It aimed to help those such as the elderly or those unable to work. Not only was this a great act during the depression it still remains today and continues to help those unable to work for various reasons.

Overall I think FDR was a great president, he gave people hope and at least did something. His acts were well rounded and helped all of America. He deserves and A for all his hard work to get america once again working and running smoothly.

"Franklin D. Roosevelt |." The White House. Web. 11 Dec. 2009. .

FDR and the New Deal." Essortment Articles: Free Online Articles on Health, Science, Education & More.. Web. 10 Dec. 2009. .

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