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"