Summary



Franklin Delano Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt goes down in American history as one of the most inspiring and well liked men in the nation. Roosevelt, the nation's 32nd president, began his term in office on March 4th, 1933. The 1930's were a tough and dark time during American history, and President Roosevelt came to office in the time that the nation needed him the most. The Dust Bowl, along with the Stock Market Crash of 1929 led to a time of nationwide depression. Poverty levels were at an all-time low, and every family around the country was affected to some extent. Roosevelt had already been dealing with Polio for 3 years prior to his start in the oval office in November of 1932. At this time, 13,000,000 Americans were unemployed. Roosevelt would go down in history as the man who helped to restore faith in the citizens of the country. He got started right away with the famous line "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself", which he mentioned in his inaugural address. By his 2nd year in office, FDR had achieved great measures of improvement, despite being questioned by bankers and business men who feared his new ideas and tactics. Roosevelt responded with the New Deal, a program that would continue the improvement across the country. Roosevelt's new program provided Social Security, along with programs to improve banks and find jobs for those previously unemployed. Not only did FDR lead the nation through the Great Depression, but when the 2nd World War came about in the '40's, Roosevelt was the man sought to lead us once more. By now, Roosevelt had become the only president to serve 4 terms. Up until his death in 1945, Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the US through some of its toughest times, as well as comforting the nation with countless fireside chats, which, through the radio, assured the citizens that everything was going to be quite alright.