Evaluation Of Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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Part 3 – Evaluation Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of the most significant figures in American History. Roosevelt served in office from March 1933 to April 1945, the longest tenure of any other President in United States history. Within these twelve years, Roosevelt was left to handle the burdensome consequences of the time, including The Great Depression and Germany and Japan’s rise to power, which were far beyond his control. Faced with such difficult situations, Roosevelt has combated these challenges in such a way that has left him as a remarkable figure in American history. In the presidential election of 1932, Roosevelt appealed to many Americans a man of action, in comparison to Herbert Hoover who was viewed as a “do-nothing president” and Norman Thomas who, as the Socialist candidate, was viewed as a radical. The American people also believed as President, Roosevelt would be able to resolve the Great Depression better than Republican and former President Hoover’s laissez-faire approach. Once elected into office, Roosevelt was able to restore a lost sense of confidence in the nation. For example, in his inaugural address he promised vigorous leadership and bold action, called for discipline and cooperation from the American people, expressed his faith in democracy, and asked for divine protection and guidance. Today his famous words, “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself…” are still remembered for the optimism he felt in being able to save the nation from disaster. Once in office, Roosevelt quickly worked to resolve the issues brought forth by the Great Depression. In 1935, the federal government guaranteed unions the right to organize and bargain collectively. Also the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was imp... ... middle of paper ... ...rld War II on the side of the Allied Powers in 1941. Roosevelt led the United States into World War II and created a strategy in which the “Big Three”, which Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin, would defeat the Axis Powers. Roosevelt also made many actions in helping the war effort. For example, the Lend-Lease Act of 1941 was a program in which the United States supplied the Allied nations between 1941 and 1945 with materials need to fight the war. Another foreign policy under Roosevelt was the Good Neighbor Policy which was aimed towards Latin America. Under this policy, American forces would better respect the sovereignty of Latin American countries. However, by the end of the World War II, relations with foreign nations would continue to intensify and leave FDR’s future successors with heavy burdens, such as Obama was left with the difficulties of his predecessors.

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