Franklin D. Roosevelt

Definition

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 to 1945. He is best known for his leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, as well as his implementation of the New Deal policies aimed at economic recovery and social reform.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Roosevelt took office in 1933 during the depths of the Great Depression, and immediately implemented a series of emergency measures and reforms known as the New Deal to address the economic crisis.
2. The New Deal included programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Social Security Act, which aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform for the American people.
3. Roosevelt's Fireside Chats, in which he directly addressed the public through radio broadcasts, helped build trust and support for his policies during the Great Depression and World War II.
4. During World War II, Roosevelt led the United States as Commander-in-Chief, overseeing the country's involvement in the war and the eventual Allied victory in Europe.
5. Roosevelt's 'Four Freedoms' speech in 1941 outlined a vision for a post-war world based on fundamental human rights, which would later inspire the creation of the United Nations.

Review Questions

• Describe how Franklin D. Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression differed from that of his predecessor, Herbert Hoover.
  • Unlike Hoover, who largely relied on voluntary cooperation from businesses and individuals to address the economic crisis, Roosevelt took a more active and interventionist approach with the implementation of the New Deal. The New Deal programs, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Tennessee Valley Authority, represented a significant expansion of the federal government's role in the economy and social welfare, in an effort to provide relief, recovery, and reform for the American people during the Great Depression.
• Analyze the impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt's Fireside Chats on the public's perception and support for his policies during the Great Depression and World War II.
  • The Fireside Chats were a critical component of Roosevelt's communication strategy, as they allowed him to directly address the American people and build trust and support for his policies. By speaking in a relatable and conversational manner, Roosevelt was able to explain the rationale behind his actions and reassure the public during times of crisis. The Fireside Chats helped to counter the sense of despair and uncertainty that had pervaded during the Great Depression, and later rallied the nation's support for the war effort during World War II.
• Evaluate the significance of Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'Four Freedoms' speech and its influence on the post-war international order.
  • Roosevelt's 'Four Freedoms' speech, delivered in 1941, outlined a vision for a post-war world based on four fundamental human rights: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. This speech served as a moral and ideological foundation for the United States' involvement in World War II, as well as the subsequent creation of the United Nations. The 'Four Freedoms' speech helped to shape the international order in the aftermath of the war, as it emphasized the importance of universal human rights and the need for global cooperation to ensure peace and prosperity. The principles outlined in this speech continue to influence international relations and the global human rights agenda to this day.

Related terms

New Deal:

A series of economic programs and reforms introduced by President Roosevelt to address the Great Depression, including measures to provide relief, recovery, and reform.

Fireside Chats:

Radio addresses given by President Roosevelt to the American public, which helped build public trust and support for his policies during the Great Depression and World War II.

Four Freedoms: A set of fundamental human rights that Roosevelt outlined in a 1941 speech, including freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear.