Prateek+-+FDR+-+F08

=//**Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)**//=

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FDR faced many different situations as the President of the United States. After all he did serve three consecutive terms, while going onto his fourth until his death; one could argue that he was the President that faced the greatest deal of issues in American History. He had to stay cool under pressure, and in my mind did just do that. With all his accomplishments and decisions, I have to give this man an A for what he did for America and its rich history.=====

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Roosevelt's goal during his first term was pretty much to change the shape of America. America at the time was in dire need of economical help, with about 30 percent of the workforce unemployed and almost every bank closed. He accomplished this goal through the naysayers by enacting the New Deal Program. Although to the disliking of bankers and businessmen, it was the correct move for America at the time and really paid dividends. He adjusted the American money system and allowed people who owed debts to have them paid off; soon banks that were closed before were slowly starting to operate once again. In 1934, Roosevelt enacted the national Social Security program with which he hoped such a crisis in the future would be avoided. The Social Security Program enforced higher taxes on the wealthy, new controls over public banks and public utilities, and an enormous work relief program for the unemployed. Roosevelt second term started with a battle with the Supreme Court. The court believed some of Roosevelt's economic program unconstitutional, and why wouldn't it; the country was doing so well with his "unconstitutional programs"! Supreme Court had to have something to groan about! Anyway, Roosevelt tried to enlarge the Supreme Court to retaliate for the Supreme Court's conclusions, but even in failing a revolution in Constitutional law took place. From hereon the Government could legally regulate the U.S. economy. Another key goal of Roosevelt during his second term was to keep his neutrality in the World. He did not want the U.S. to get involved in the war going on in Europe. Yet, in 1940 when France fell, his hands were forced into helping the British who were left out by themselves. Roosevelt felt that Europe would fall into the hands of Germany and Hitler, if the U.S. didn't intervene. He did everything in his power to avoid entering WWII, but his hand was forced finally on that fateful day on December 7, 1941 (in his third term) when Japan attacked Pearl Harbor unexpectedly. His primary goal for his third term became to defeat the Axis Powers, and in essence save the World from their wrongs. Although he died before the end of WWII, his decision to enter the war ultimately proved to be the savior of Europe.=====

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FDR's relationship with Congress was really off and on, because in the beginning the allowed him to pass his deals and programs, yet after they were enacted they thought down of them. The clear case would the Supreme Court deal, and also how some of his own party members turned against him, because they didn't believe in his ideals as President.=====

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Roosevelt did many great things while in office, but I believe his decision to enter WWII in being the best move he made. Although it really didn't help America in any way (really forced to enter because of Pearl Harbor), it did in essence save the World from the Axis powers atrocities. There is no going to say what Hitler may have done, if he could've taken over Britain and eventually all of Europe. You can bet if that happened, America would have faced a much harder challenge in the following years during the 40's and 50's! For his worst move, I would consider his fight with the Supreme Court to be it. Although it was necessary in my mind, there was never really any other great flaws during his regime. I just don't think his fight with Congress and the Supreme Court made a good impression on the people of America, and did hurt his chances in later terms of being re-elected. Yet, obviously they still liked him well enough to elect him to four terms!=====

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Everything that FDR accomplished as President was very beneficial to the country and the whole World. Some of his economic programs are used to this day, one of which is the Social Security program; so obviously he was very influential. Then you look at how much the country improved from a time of depression, to a time where jobs flourished. He pretty much raised America as his child in those three terms he held, through the way there were bumps and bruises, but he always looked ahead at the light at the end of the tunnel. This man did a lot for our country, and it can be argued he saved the World; which is why he deserves an A for his efforts.=====


 * __American Pageant : Advanced Placement__. Boston: Houghton Mifflin College Division, 2001.  **


 * "Biography of Franklin D. Roosevelt." __White House__. 30 Oct. 2008 [| http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/fr32.html]  **