"Happy days are here again!" - FDR, 1932 campaign slogan
On the heels of Herbert Hoover's presidency, the American people were looking for a new leader. They were looking for an inspiring leader with the passion and drive it would take to help pull the United States out of the worst economic collapse in its history. Little did they know that the man they would need would be himself confined to a wheelchair, crippled by polio, but not crippled by fear.
"The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." - Franklin Delano Roosevelt
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Who is Franklin Delano Roosevelt?
Watch this mini-biography of FDR to see the impact his life had on the American people during the 1930s and 1940s.
FDR's Fireside Chats
During the 1930s, the popularity of the radio soared. This new medium for communication is what allowed FDR to forge an unprecedented connection with the American people as he issued what are known as "Fireside Chats". In these speeches, President Roosevelt would broadcast through all of the major news outlets of the time and talk directly to the American people about the economic crisis at hand, his plans for the country, and also to provide them with the reassurance that they were not alone. Sitting at home by the fire, every American could listen to the voice of their commander-in-chief to be informed about all of the major developments and hope that he provided.
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Election Results- 1932First term: Franklin Delano Roosevelt was inaugurated in March of 1933 as the US was suffering at its highest ever rate of unemployment. During this term, Roosevelt launched The First New Deal and focused on relief, recovery, and reform. His foreign policy also focused on LESS involvement in foreign affairs (specifically Latin America) and more positive and peaceful relationships with nations such as The Soviet Union.
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1936 Election ResultsThough there were still millions of people unemployed by the election in 1936, FDR was widely popular in the United States. He continued to focus on the economic problems at home, and attempted to maintain a policy of isolationism as German aggression began to spread through Europe. By 1939, America began to supply aid to Britain and France as World War II began.
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1940 Election ResultsFDR was one of the only presidents in our history to successfully be elected for a third (and a fourth) term. His third term was focused on helping the United States make it through World War II which we will cover in the next unit. However, it's important to note the popularity of FDR and how his popularity and success during the 1930s allowed him to serve three terms as President of the United States.
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