Rhetorical Analysis Of Fdr's Inaugural Speech

This piece documented an excerpt from a speech given by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt on March 4, 1933. By 1933, the Great Depression had reached its lowest point. In this inaugural address, FDR proposed his ideas on how to revive and reconstruct the economy. This new line of reforms was named the New Deal.

President Roosevelt used words such as unscrupulous, sanctity and preeminently to represent his professional role as a president. He also describes positivity by using the words revive and prosper to show his faith in America and the potential to recover from the Depression. Through using these words, American citizens saw his credibility as a leader and developed optimistic mindsets to want to try their hardest to fix the economy. This also gains FDR support because they realized he had goals and the ability to achieve them. Also, in paragraph six through seven, Roosevelt compares America to a temple and past leaders to the hierarchy of rulers. He states that “money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths.” By this comparison, he means that America was once a very successful and thriving country, but when the old leaders tried to stimulate the economy and

failed, they automatically blamed it on the lack of funding because they were stubborn and lacked visions or goals.
The intent of the speech was to give hope to American citizens and gain support to put his reform programs into action.

FDR directly states the failings of employment and balance of population. In order to lower unemployment, FDR decided to directly recruit people to new jobs through various programs stimulated by our natural resources, such as an organization of workers in forests or building new highways. Also, Roosevelt planned to deplete foreclosure by insisting the Federal, State and local governments to reduce the cost of arable land and of small homes. Lastly, the President proposed to end old order by strictly supervising investments, ending speculation in other people’s money and an adequate

currency.
FDR made it obvious that he depends greatly on the U.S. Government to allow and help him carry on with his reform programs by mentioning that the actions he is preparing to take are practical and realistic because of the past actions of ancestors that founded this country. He continues to refer to the Constitution as being so simple that it gives a leader the ability to change the limits and emphasis of it, without losing its main meaning. He also stated that if Congress fails to bring a speedy adoption, then he will “ask the Congress for one remaining instrument to meet the crisis- broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency…” This quote not only appeals to pathos because it proves Roosevelt’s determination to fix the economy, but it also appeals to logos because it validates his authority by showing the relationship between the President and Congress.
Although the economy of America today, is not as weak as the economy in the early 1930s, the actions being taken can be compared. For example, a new Wal-Mart Neighborhood Market is being built in Hudson, North Carolina and is creating approximately 95 new jobs. This is similar to President Roosevelt’s plan to reduce unemployment.