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FDR &
The New Deal
Election 1932
• Herbert Hoover-– Rugged Individualism
• Opponent- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR)
– Government should do more to help Americans
1932 Electoral Map
Who is FDR?• Distant cousin of
President Theodore Roosevelt
• Eleanor, his wife, became very active in his public life
• Established political career: NY State Senator, Secretary of the Navy, and Vice-Presidential candidate, Gov. of NY
• Paralyzed- polio,1921.
What was his Reputation?• A hailed reformer
• Relied on his “Brain Trust”– A team of thinkers who can
correctly analyze a situation and provide the best solution
• @ his Presidential Inauguration in 1933:
“The only thing we have to fear is fear itself –
nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror.”
Inaugural Speech
• "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself"
• What is the message of this speech?
• How would you feel if you were in the crowd?
How did he deal with the Banking Crisis?
• Immediately ordered all banks closed for 4 days--- “Bank Holiday”
• Special session of Congress passed the Emergency Banking Relief Act.– Gave the president more power over banking– Set up a system to re-open and re-organize banks– Radio broadcast:
“It is safer to keep your money in a re-opened bank than under your mattress”.
How did he connect to Americans?
• Radio broadcast was 1st of many “Fireside Chats”– Sat next to fireplace in White House– Gained public confidence
What did he do to try to help end the Depression?
• Sent Congress a stack of 15 proposals for new programs---all were passed!
• 3 month special session of Congress to launch new programs was called the “Hundred Days”
What was the New Deal?
• New laws passed during this 100 days came to be called “The New Deal”
• Affected all areas of life:– Banking– The Stock Market– Industry– Agriculture– Public Works– Relief for the poor– Conservation of
Resources
Did all Americans like the New Deal?• Business
– accused FDR of spending too much government money = destroying capitalist system.
– “Liberty League” (to urge FDR to leave business alone)
• Outspoken Critics– Father Charles Coughlin-
Catholic – Francis Townsend- 60+
$200/mo.– Huey Long- “share our
wealth”
Was Democracy in Full Swing?
• FDR Re-elected in 1936– Won 61% of the
popular vote
• Support Base:– Progressives– Liberals– Unemployed– Urban Workers– African Americans
Did FDR abuse his power?
• Worried that the Supreme Court would undo the New Deal
• Asked Congress to increase # of justices to 15 (6 that he would appoint)
• Accused of trying to “pack” the court
Was he one of the best Presidents ever?
• What was the New Deal? 2:08
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5Pls1Xc3bw
Great Depression Overview "I Need Dollars"