Franklin D. Roosevelt

Definition

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. He is best known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, as well as for implementing a series of programs and reforms known as the New Deal. His administration played a pivotal role in the implementation of Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced relocation of Japanese Americans during World War II.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. FDR was elected to four terms, making him the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms in office.
2. His administration's actions regarding Japanese American internment were partly justified by fears of espionage and sabotage after the attack on Pearl Harbor.
3. FDR's New Deal policies aimed to provide relief and recovery for all Americans, but they did not include protections for Japanese Americans, reflecting racial prejudices of the time.
4. The internment of Japanese Americans was a controversial aspect of FDR's presidency, leading to long-lasting consequences and eventual reparations for survivors.
5. In 1988, Congress formally apologized for the internment, recognizing it as a violation of civil rights influenced by wartime hysteria and prejudice.

Review Questions

• How did Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies reflect his priorities during his presidency?
  • Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal policies demonstrated his priority to recover the U.S. economy during the Great Depression by providing immediate relief to those in need while implementing structural reforms. These policies aimed to stabilize banks, create jobs through public works projects, and support agricultural recovery. However, despite these broad goals, the exclusion of certain groups, including Japanese Americans from relief measures, highlighted underlying racial prejudices and limitations in FDR's approach.
• Evaluate the impact of Executive Order 9066 on Japanese American communities during FDR's presidency.
  • Executive Order 9066 had a devastating impact on Japanese American communities, leading to forced relocation and internment without due process. Thousands were stripped of their homes, businesses, and possessions, resulting in significant economic and social disruption. This government action reflected wartime hysteria and prejudice against people of Japanese descent, causing lasting trauma and injustice that these communities would struggle to overcome long after the war ended.
• Assess how FDR's decisions regarding Japanese American internment have been viewed in historical context and their implications for civil rights.
  • Historically, FDR's decisions regarding Japanese American internment are viewed as a significant failure in civil rights protection under his administration. The justifications for this action were rooted in fear rather than fact, leading to widespread discrimination against an entire ethnic group. This event has prompted ongoing discussions about racial prejudice, civil liberties during wartime, and the importance of safeguarding individual rights against governmental overreach. The eventual acknowledgment and reparations for survivors illustrate a societal recognition of these injustices and highlight lessons that continue to resonate today.

Related terms

New Deal: A series of programs and policies implemented by FDR aimed at economic recovery during the Great Depression, focusing on relief for the unemployed, recovery of the economy, and reform of the financial system.

Executive Order 9066:

An executive order signed by FDR in February 1942, which authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans in response to national security concerns during World War II.

Internment Camps: Detention centers established to confine Japanese Americans and others during World War II, resulting from Executive Order 9066, where thousands were held under harsh conditions.