ROOSEVELT TAKES OFFICECH.18 SEC.1

EARLY LIFE*Born in 1882

* Grew up in Hyde Park, NY (Next to the Hudson River)

* Loved outdoor activities; began his commitment to conservation

* Went to Harvard for college & Columbia for law school

Early Political Career

*Became a NY Senator in 1910

* Became asst. secretary of the Navy during WWI

*Ran for V.P. for the democrats in 1920 (lost)

* Came down with polio in 1921, refused to leave politics & vowed to beat his disease

Governor of New York

* Ran for governor & won in 1928

* Cut taxes for farmers & reduced prices on public utilities

* When the Depression hit, FDR set up a state relief fund to help the unemployed

* His use of govt power to help others impressed many throughout the country

Presidential Run

* Ran on the Democrat ticket against Herbert Hoover in 1932

*Stepped into a mess of a situation:

•Most of the banks in the U.S. were closed

•1 in 4 Americans unemployed

•Economy was at a standstill

FDR’s Resolve

Knew he had to restore the nation’s confidence

Delivered an inaugural address that declared:

“...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself...”

“This nation asks for action, and action now!”

Franklin & Eleanor

*Met in school at Harvard

* Were distantly related (cousin’s niece)

* While sick with polio, Eleanor went & delivered FDR’s speeches at the NY Senate

* Grew apart as time went on, lived in separate residences eventually

FDR & Polio* FDR became a lifelong supporter of finding a cure for polio

* Organized the “March of Dimes” which raised money for polio research

* A cure was found after FDR’s death

* His face is now immortalized on the dime