The Specific Qualities Of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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"Yesterday, December 7th, 1941 -- a date which will live in infamy -- the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan" (Roosevelt). With those words President Franklin Delano Roosevelt began his address to a Joint Session of the United States Congress. He requested and received a declaration of war against Japan for the Pearl Harbor bombings. This was the beginning of an important time in FDR's life as president and as an exceptional speaker. People turned to him with confidence to guide America through World War II as he had done a decade before during the Great Depression. Today, I want to inform you about FDR's specific qualities that made him a great orator and political …show more content…

He made regular public appearances to encourage war efforts. His radio broadcasts were an important part of his efforts. As history.com reports, between 1933 and 1944, Roosevelt addressed the American people in 30 speeches using the young radio medium that was popular in about 90% of U.S. homes. He used simple language with concrete examples delivered in a conversational, informal manner so he could be easily understood by as many listeners as possible. His words of comfort and unfailing confidence inspired listeners who began to call these his "fireside chats" (history.com). Researcher Margaret Biser found citizens inundated the White House Mail Room for several weeks after the first Fireside Chat broadcast with most expressing strong support for him and appreciation for his easy-going, conversational style of speaking

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