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Franklin Delano Roosevelt

January 30, 1882 in Hyde Park, New York- April 12, 1945 Warm Springs, Georgia

Political Party: Democrat

Terms: March 4, 1933- April 12, 1945

Vice Presidents: John Nance Garner (1933-1941), Henry A Wallace (1941-1945), Harry S Truman (1945-)

When FDR came into presidency, America was facing the harshest depression it has ever experienced, and there was not a single person who was spared from its effects. During this time the gap between the rich and poor was greatly widened, and their different opinions on government policy began to shape political parties into their current day form. Most significant was the switch that African Americans, who after identifying themselves with the Republican party since Lincoln, began to support Democrats. This was largely due to FDR’s policies designed to directly help the people rather than businesses, and his new supporters contributed to his later election victories. Later, as the economy was slowly recovering, another event, this one on the other side of the globe, made divisions in the American people. Aggressive dictators and fascists, such as Mussolini and Hitler,were beginning to attack and conquer the countries surrounding them. At the same time, Japan was further invading China, and had taken over Manchuria in 1931. While some in America pushed for intervention in these horrendous events, the majority of Americans wished to remain isolated from foreign war. Still skeptical of other countries’ since World War I, and now crippled by an internal depression, getting involved in affairs that did not concern America seemed futile to most. Because of this, FDR passed multiple Neutrality Acts, which unfortunately benefited the antagonistic dictators more than anyone else. It wasn’t until Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor that America through its full support behind the war, but when they did they found that war was the cure to the depression all along.
 * Thematic Context **

Thesis FDR showed as much determination and perseverance as his fifth cousin, battling paralytic illness and forcing himself to recover the use of his legs. When he began his first term it was no different, FDR entered the White House with a plan, and sought quickly to assist those affected by the Great Depression. His Hundred Days actions did not defeat the depression, but they made the impact that the country had been so desperately craving. In later terms, FDR continued with his depression-related legislation and created multiple social-welfare programs designed to ease the suffering, and many still exist today, the most notable being Social Security. His cautiousness and patience with World War II allowed America to rebuild itself and not destroy any progress by entering the war too soon, and his economic over military policies benefited industries during the war. In the beginning of his first term, America was in its most fragile state, other than when the Union itself was split, But when FDR left presidency after dying of a cerebral hemorrhage, America was finally stabilized and about to win the war. Therefore, because of his extensive and numerous policies and his ability to guide America slowly into war, Franklin Delano Roosevelt deserves a A- for his 4 terms as president.

Goals In his first inauguration speech FDR addressed not just the economic depression, but also the mental depression most Americans were feeling. He urged them to remain hopeful and to continue having faith in the government, even though it hadn’t done its job in recent years. His most emphasized goals were to employ a majority of the people, attempt to protect agriculture, and stabilize the banks so that people could safely secure their money. These goals were easily achieved with the rapid success of the Hundred Days legislations, especially with the Emergency Banking Act of 1933 which eventually allowed people to securely invest their money. In his second speech, FDR repeatedly mentioned that the government has to be able to intervene in the economy in order to ensure America’s prosperity. This, along with a sympathetic addressment of the nation’s poverty and slums, hinted at FDR’s intentions to create welfare programs, which he later did, such as Social Security. FDR’s third inauguration focused mainly on the spirit of America, telling the people that they had already endured and defeated the worst of the depression and that as long as the kept their faith in democracy and their country, they would soon reach former prosperity. His last speech, his fourth term, distinguished itself from the others because it did not discuss domestic affairs. Instead, FDR explained that America’s success was dependent on other nation’s, and that, "The only way to have a friend is to be one." While FDR did not specifically mention if foreign intervention would be through economic aid or through military, he did at last break America’s isolationist policies and call for action benefiting the America’s allies. This would be demonstrated through the Lend-Lease Program and eventually military involvement following Pearl Harbor.

Relationship with Congress During the Hundred Days of FDR’s first term Congress was practically non-existent, as they put up virtually no opposition to any of FDR’s New Deal plans. This was largely due to the fact that sparing the years 1931-1933, the Democrats had the majority of both the House of Representatives and Senate until the end of FDR’s presidency. But later, when the Supreme Court, which was largely conservative, struck down many New Deal policies, FDR made a brash move in an effort to gain more executive power. The Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937 would have allowed the president to add a new justice for everyone on the bench that was the age of 70 years and 6 months. This legislation was blatantly opposed, and it was the first time that FDR truly felt political disfavor. However, over all the legislative branch did what FDR wanted, as most of his New Deal programs were passed and Congress followed his lead when dealing with World War II.

Positive Event FDR’s most positive action was the New Deal program, which had multiple policies in order to effectively deal with the Great Depression. The Hundred Days proved especially beneficial for a short time period, and finally showed the possibility for improvement. Within two days of his inauguration FDR closed all banks and initiated the Emergency Banking Relief Act of 1933. Followed by FDR’s “fireside chats” and the Glass-Steagall Reform Act, Americans began to trust banks again. FDR also attacked unemployment by establishing the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Federal Emergency Relief Act. Programs like these and the Civil Works Administration provided millions of temporary jobs and provided quick and immediate relief. The NRA, established to work out relations with labor unions and businesses through the use of “fair competition” codes, was declared unconstitutional because Congress could not apply interstate commerce laws to local businesses. However, this administration led to the Wagner Act of 1935 and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938. This finally granted unions the right to organize and established minimum wage and maximum hours. Child labor was also abolished. Another beneficial program was the Tennessee Valley Authority Act of 1933, which brought employment, cheap power, and environment restoration to a massive area. Other programs included the controversial Agricultural Adjustment Administration and the Social Security Act of 1935, the latter which is still important today.

Negative Event The most negative action FDR made was the Neutrality Acts of the 1930’s. Heavily influenced by reports of the NYE Committee stating that WWI involvement was due to bankers and arm dealers aiming for a profit, America firmly believed they should remain isolationists. Therefore, Neutrality Acts were put in place so that America could not economically or militarily favor any nation involved in conflict. Instead, the Neutrality acts of 935, 1936, and 1937 would not allow America to have any interaction with any “belligerents” as soon as the president recognized a foreign war. These acts failed to distinguish an aggressor from the victim and were fueled by the false idea that America’s involvement controlled the outcome of foreign affairs. As time would show, these acts hurt the nations that America wanted to help. In Spain, these acts doomed the Loyalists to Franco’s rebellion and in 1937 allowed Japanese militarists to take over Manchuria China without FDR even recognizing it. These Acts were eventually repealed in 1941, but they had already allowed many aggressors in Asia and Europe to advance much further than they should have been able to.

Influential Decision FDR made many monumental differences with his New Deal programs, such as benefiting labor unions and creating worker benefits. But the policies that had the longest lasting impact were the welfare programs that had been designed to relieve people from the effects of the Depression. Before FDR’s presidency, government welfare was not common whatsoever, as most federal policies were hesitant to offer aid directly to citizens. Herbert Hoover, who was dealing with the absolute worst years of the Great Depression, kept to a strict business-aid only policy, and this proved unhelpful to the situation. After FDR’s terms, social welfare became an important part of government policy, and is one of the things that separates liberals and conservatives today. Programs such as Social Security began the idea that the government should provide for those in need, such as the elderly or the unemployed. FDR’s policies were the starting point for what would later be health care or Medicaid. These programs provide many benefits for those they are designed to help, but also have been a leading contributor to the national debt.

Conclusion There is no comparison between America’s condition prior to and after FDR’s terms.In 1931, America was a complete disaster, around 13,000,000 people were unemployed and poverty was everywhere. Estranged from the world, they had only themselves to rely. But by the time FDR died during his fourth term, America was once again proving to be a strong independent nation. The many economic reforms put in place by FDR not only helped the Depression at the time, but would affect workers and businesses for years to come. Not only that, America was healthy enough to become involved in World War II, and their involvement changed the war’s outcome catastrophically. Being the only president to serve more than two terms, FDR proved worthy of four terms with his monumental policies that had relatively few negative effects. Therefore, because of his ability to bring America out of the Great Depression and his patient leadership, Franklin Delano Roosevelt deserves an A- for his presidency.

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