The Success of Franklin Roosevelt

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The Success of Franklin Roosevelt

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was President of the USA during a period

encompassed two of the most significant events of recent history- the

American Depression and the Second World War. In this essay we will

look at the qualities that made FDR such a notable President; we will

also examine some of the circumstances surrounding the Presidency to

discover if perhaps that also had an impact on perceptions of both the

man and his Presidency.

We will also be looking at Eleanor Roosevelt, his wife and one of his

strongest political assets. Eleanor’s terms in the White House formed

a bridge between the First Ladies of the past, where domesticity and

duty to family were the main requirements, and modern day First

Ladies such as Hilary Clinton who have successful careers and

ambitions of their own. We will Eleanor’s role as First Lady, whether

it changed over the twelve years her Husband was in office, and how

(and whether) she redefined it.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was in many ways fortunate to inherit a

country desperate for a leader. Herbert Hoover, President 1929 -1932,

was a straight laced, prohibition supporting President who favoured

the Laissez Faire approach to governing the country. He took up

office at a time when America was complacent over it’s economic

future, and did not regard economic policy as of major importance in

the elections. He did have a humanitarian side, having been President

of the American Citizens’ Relief Committee in London during the war

(Peter Clements, Access to History). However, he lacked the

imagination and flexibility to cope with the demands placed upon him
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...anklin’s success, I would choose ‘confidence’. Franklin

managed to propose radical measures and deal with failures because he

believed in himself. America may indeed have been saved by the War,

but Franklin had the confidence to halt the escalating Depression, if

not reverse it. As for Eleanor, as she said, ‘the future belongs to

those who believe in the beauty of their dream’

(Womenshistory.about.com).

Bibliography:

WWW.Womenshistory.about.com/library/qu/blurrier.htm, November 27th

2004

WWW.Time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/fdr2.html, November 27th

2004

WWW.Poppolitics.com/articles/2000-06-19-presidents.shtm, November 27th

2004

WWW.lesbianlife.about.com, November 27th 2004

Clements Peter, Prosperity, Depression and the New Deal (second

edition), Hodder and Stoughton, London, 2001

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