In 1939 unemployment stood at 9.2 million; in 1929, it was
2.6 million. Why is FDR remembered by scholars and by the American public as a
great, even the greatest President? (100 words, by Friday 19/4 5pm).
FDR became president at a time when American's were dejected. His warrant and positivity provided people with hope. The assurance that there would be direct government action to aid the disadvantaged and that this poverty was not due to individual failing but economic forces gave people reassurance. To avert the panic within the community FDR administered multiple acts in his first 100 days of office. The public Works Administration Act funded the construction of schools, hospitals, airports and dams as well as provided more jobs. FDR also gave confidence back to the American people in their banking system, enforcing The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, which essentially insured the peoples money and if the bank became destitute their money would be paid back. Although FDR’s changes helped some, none of his acts ended the depression, yet his temporary help is what people will remember.
When FDR assumed the presidency in 1933, America was already in the throes of the Great Depression, and his ‘take-charge’ attitude, and confident optimism, endeared him to the public. His New Deal policies of economic reforms helped to revive the flagging economy, and at the same time provided relief for those in need. Classic examples of these policies include the Social Security Act which led to pensions and unemployment compensation, and the Banking Act which helped bolster the public’s confidence in the banking system. While it was really WWII that helped end the Great Depression, it was thanks to Roosevelt’s policies that America had the necessary infrastructure in place that enabled them to produce the goods needed for the war effort on a vast scale. Although unemployment may have increased during his term, Roosevelt’s unflagging confidence, and his economic and social reforms, gave hope and optimism to the masses, and helped shape the America of today.
At the time Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, the United States was struggling through the worst economic depression in history. It was not so much his policies that made him popular as they can be; to some extent seen as failure given the dramatic rise of unemployment during the middle of his tenure. It was more his ability to inspire confidence in the American people, an example of this would be his fireside chat on banking on March 12 1933 in which he was not only able to allay the fears of many Americans but provide much need financial information.
Franklin D Roosevelt is remembered for being the greatest president of the United States for various reasons. Some historians have referred to the time in which he was in term as a second American Revolution largely due to the manner in which the Federal Government intervened in the economic crisis of the Great Depression. His pragmatic attitude towards averting and solving crisis was, whilst sometime criticized, one that was greatly welcomed by the those suffering from extreme poverty. Perhaps the reason many Americans remember him so fondly is because, for the first time in American history, the President was responsible for helping the jobless and needy. The fact that he was an incredibly charming and charismatic leader with confident oration certainly help to make memories of him a fond one.
FDR became president at a time when American's were dejected. His warrant and positivity provided people with hope. The assurance that there would be direct government action to aid the disadvantaged and that this poverty was not due to individual failing but economic forces gave people reassurance. To avert the panic within the community FDR administered multiple acts in his first 100 days of office. The public Works Administration Act funded the construction of schools, hospitals, airports and dams as well as provided more jobs. FDR also gave confidence back to the American people in their banking system, enforcing The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act, which essentially insured the peoples money and if the bank became destitute their money would be paid back. Although FDR’s changes helped some, none of his acts ended the depression, yet his temporary help is what people will remember.
ReplyDeleteWhen FDR assumed the presidency in 1933, America was already in the throes of the Great Depression, and his ‘take-charge’ attitude, and confident optimism, endeared him to the public. His New Deal policies of economic reforms helped to revive the flagging economy, and at the same time provided relief for those in need. Classic examples of these policies include the Social Security Act which led to pensions and unemployment compensation, and the Banking Act which helped bolster the public’s confidence in the banking system. While it was really WWII that helped end the Great Depression, it was thanks to Roosevelt’s policies that America had the necessary infrastructure in place that enabled them to produce the goods needed for the war effort on a vast scale. Although unemployment may have increased during his term, Roosevelt’s unflagging confidence, and his economic and social reforms, gave hope and optimism to the masses, and helped shape the America of today.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteAt the time Franklin D. Roosevelt became president, the United States was struggling through the worst economic depression in history. It was not so much his policies that made him popular as they can be; to some extent seen as failure given the dramatic rise of unemployment during the middle of his tenure. It was more his ability to inspire confidence in the American people, an example of this would be his fireside chat on banking on March 12 1933 in which he was not only able to allay the fears of many Americans but provide much need financial information.
ReplyDeleteFranklin D Roosevelt is remembered for being the greatest president of the United States for various reasons. Some historians have referred to the time in which he was in term as a second American Revolution largely due to the manner in which the Federal Government intervened in the economic crisis of the Great Depression. His pragmatic attitude towards averting and solving crisis was, whilst sometime criticized, one that was greatly welcomed by the those suffering from extreme poverty. Perhaps the reason many Americans remember him so fondly is because, for the first time in American history, the President was responsible for helping the jobless and needy. The fact that he was an incredibly charming and charismatic leader with confident oration certainly help to make memories of him a fond one.
ReplyDelete