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Franklin D. Roosevelt

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

Political Party: Democrat

Presidential Terms - 1st Term: March 4, 1933-January 20, 1937, 2nd Term: January 20,1937-January 20, 1941, 3rd Term: January 20, 1941-January 20, 1945, 4th Term: January 20, 1945- April 12, 1945 (Death)

VPs: John N. Garner (1933-1941), Henry A. Wallace (1941-1945), and Harry S. Truman (1945)

Thematic Content:

During this time, the Great Depression was one of the biggest things affecting the United States. Though slavery no longer existed, American blacks still experienced oppression in the Southern part of the United States. Violence and poverty was prevalent, along with segregation. It was a vicious cycle for blacks who could not escape their poor backgrounds. Gaining the support of these impoverished blacks, along with other minorities, Roosevelt grew in popularity as a new hope for America. They hoped that he could boost jobs, and give America a boost. They hoped that the economy could once again flourish, and that America could once again be successful. Many Republicans converted into Democrats as Roosevelt’s campaign heated up. He campaigned for the “forgotten man,” and this appealed the many forgotten ones who were experiencing the depression.

Thesis:

Placed in the precarious ordeal of the United States’ depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt provided hope for many Americans who had run out of it. With his belief in himself, and his hope for the nation, Roosevelt was more successful in office than really anyone could imagine. Chartering legislation immediately after his inauguration, Roosevelt’s Hundred Day period proved to be one of the most productive times in history. During this time, FDR and Congress enacted a great portion of the “New Deal” policies. This New Deal was a saving grace for Americans, assisting many of them with job opportunities, and help supporting themselves and their loved ones. Complete with his leadership into the second World War, Roosevelt’s strong personality and passion for running his country earn him an A for his efforts.

Goals for Presidency:

Appropriately, the main focus of President Roosevelt was to aid the struggling American economy. He aimed to boost jobs, which, in turn, would boost the economy. Without so many families in need, more money would be filtered back into the market. The New Deal was Roosevelt’s concentration, as it attempted to lift America out of the depths of their economic hole. These organizations and acts were essential to building further prosperity out of the despair of the nation. In alleviating America of the Gold Standard, Roosevelt sought to solve the problem of the failing banks, as those who were in control of gold would no longer have to hold onto it in fear. Without gold backing the money, FDR hoped for the inflation of the currency. A minor focus in relation to building a better economy was Roosevelt’s goals in foreign affair. With the proceedings of World War II swirling, Roosevelt was interested in aiding both France and Britain in the war. This interest eventually led to the creation of the group known as the United Nations.

Relationship with Congress:

Certainly, Roosevelt’s relationship with Congress was a strong and positive one. With a Democratic presence in both the 73rd and 74th Congresses, during FDR’s first term, an immense amount of legislation was accomplished. Congress was essential in Roosevelt’s New Deal delegations, as he needed strong support from them to pass his ideas. With so much support, his first Hundred Days were immensely productive in strengthening a struggling America. Congress continued their loyalty to Roosevelt in their near-unanimous decision to approve his declaration of war with Japan in 1941, following the attacks on Pearl Harbor. Though this would almost definitely force America into a war with Germany as well, Congress trusted Roosevelt in his dealings, and continued to support him throughout.

Positive Action:

Overall, the most positive action of Roosevelt’s long presidential career was the New Deal, in whole. This changed the direction of the country, and changed the overall mood of people affected by the Great Depression. Roosevelt’s New Deal encompassed three R’s – Relief, Recovery, and Reform. Relief was mostly represented by the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, which gave federal money to the states. Recovery was implemented with the Civilian Conservation Corps work camps providing half a million young men with jobs, the Public Works Administration’s help in construction, and the Works Progress administration employing talented people to do useful work. Reform came in the form of the Glass-Steagall Banking Act, the National Industrial Recovery Act, the NRA, and a multitude of other legislation setting a basis for reformation. One of the most influential pieces for the future in this New Deal was the enactment of Social Security. This provided pensions for Americans that were over 65 years of age. Clearly, with so much change, and so much influence to the government, Roosevelt altered the face of the nation with these New Deal policies; it was immensely important.

Negative Actions:

Though there were many positives in Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency, there was one outstanding negative: his decision to authorize the internment of the Japanese people and to set up War Relocation Camps. Following the attack at Pearl Harbor in 1941, Roosevelt began the internment of what would be over 100,000 Japanese-Americans with Executive Order 9066. These people were sent to communities controlled by the government, in which they lived in sub-par conditions, and were stripped of their belongings by thieves. Essentially, Roosevelt was more or less imprisoning 100,000 of his own people. Nearly all of the people who were taken captive were living on the Pacific coast of America, and were detained in fear of another Japanese attack that could have been facilitated by these Japanese-American citizens. When all was said and done, America realized what a mistake had been made, and eventually paid over $1 billion in damages in 1988. Today, this is seen as an immoral action, and as a disgrace in American history.

Influential Decision:

The single most influential decision in FDR’s presidency was his decision to enter the second World War. Though many citizens were terrified of joining the war, and were more interested in fixing the broken economy, Roosevelt and his supportive Congress dove into the war after 1941’s Pearl Harbor attack. Though he would not live to see the end of the war, Roosevelt’s decision would have future implications on the power of the United States. The country solidified its world super power-dom after defeating the Japanese and the Germans in a 4-year effort of war. The Americans displayed their power in deploying nuclear bombs in Hiroshima, as well as Nagasaki. Their power had been growing since the era of imperialism with William McKinley and distant relative of FDR’s, Teddy Roosevelt, but it was solidified after World War II. The war reflected the growing unity of the nation, as many people worked to support its effort. In his decision to join the war, Roosevelt would unify Americans and push America into worldwide power.

Conclusion:

To conclude, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency was a successful one, overall. Though it ended in tragedy, with his murder, Roosevelt’s career had pushed America into the spotlight, and had pulled them out of the Great Depression. He created jobs, helped the needy, and enacted now time-tested legislation. His stimulation of the economy brought America out of a dark age of depression. His decision to join World War II influenced America for years to come. He unified Americans. He stood for hope. He remembered the “forgotten man.” Though his internment of the Japanese is recognized as one of the most tragic and embarrassing times in American history, his presidency was an influential and successful one.

Works Cited 1935, the time NRA ended in May, industrial production was 55% higher than in May 1933. In addition, which had introduced a minimum wage, and an eight-hour workday. "New Deal - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. . 1945, 8 August, newspapers in the US were reporting that broadcasts from Radio Tokyo had described the destruction observed in Hiroshima. "Practically all living things, human, and animal. "Atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. . "Japanese American internment - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia." //Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. . "New Deal (United States history) -- Britannica Online Encyclopedia." //Britannica Online Encyclopedia//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. . "New Deal legislation." //New York City College of Technology - Websupport1//. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2012. .