Franklin D. Roosevelt Left an Indelible Mark on American History

“A whole generation of Americans had grown up knowing no other president. He was a presence in their living rooms, he had called them my friends, and he had been at the helm of the two worst crisis of the century.” (“FDR”) The people loved his optimism and his sympathy with the less fortunate. (Perkins, 7) He was the people’s champion and they elected him to office four consecutive times. (Schlesinger, Time) President Roosevelt rescued America during the hardship that was the great depression. His decision to enter World War II played a substantial role in defeating fascism. Roosevelt believed in a multilateral effort in ending conflicts around the world. Franklin D. Roosevelt left an indelible mark of progress on American history.

President Roosevelt rescued America during the gravest crisis since the civil war, the great depression. When Roosevelt assumed the presidency, America was in its third year of depression. No other decline in American history had been so deep unemployment was high and 14 million people were looking for work. (“FDR”) Franklin D. Roosevelt at his inauguration on March 4, 1933, comforted the nation saying,” the only thing we have to fear is fear itself- nameless unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance.”(Meyersohn, 44) He also proclaimed that he was not going to watch while America suffered through the depression. “Action and action now!” he said. (Gilbert, 48) During the first hundred days in office, Mr. Roosevelt asked congress to pass a record amount of new legislation. The president signed off on the emergency banking relief act, which put all the nation’s banks under federal control and provided for their reopening. (Als...

... middle of paper ...

...looked to him as the most genuine and unswerving spokesman of democracy. He had all the character of and energy and skill of the dictators and he was on our side.” (Goodwin, Time)

It is clear to see that Franklin Delano Roosevelt left an indelible mark of evolution on American history. President Roosevelt saved America during the destitution that was the great depression. His decision to enter World War II played a considerable role in defeating fascism. He believed in a multilateral effort in ending conflicts around the world. He used every tool in hand to direct the United States in peace and war: party, bureaucracy, Congress and the media of the day. (Anonymous) Winston Churchill said in his eulogy that “the consequences of Franklin Roosevelt’s astonishing career will long be discernible among men.” ( Black, 1134)