Franklin Delano Roosevelt: The People's President

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Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected president when the United States was in its worst economic position ever. When FDR took presidency, he had witnessed the rise and fall of the U.S. He took upon himself the mission of fixing many other people's mistakes. He worked as fast as possible to ensure that the country he so dearly loved would re-enter a thriving economy he had seen before the Great Depression. Two characteristics that made FDR so special were his humility and humanism. Even though he was born to a rich family that was not harshly affected by The Great Depression, he was able to connect with everyone, poor and rich alike, which is why FDR will forever be known as, “The People's President.” As soon as his presidency began, FDR…show more content…
Roosevelt was born the 30th of January, 1882. He was born to a wealthy family in Hyde Park, New York. In his youth, FDR was exposed to many farmers and the rural lifestyle. Growing up where he did, FDR“developed something of a romanticized fascination and love of rural America, which would both impact his commitment to America's working class during the Depression, as well as his passion for conservation” (Muscato). Boats and ships were very intriguing to Roosevelt. This interest led him to join the Navy in 1913 (“Franklin Delano Roosevelt”). At the start of WWI, FDR wrote to his wife, Eleanor. His letter reads, “These are history-making days. It will be the greatest war in the world’s history”(Franklin Delano Roosevelt). FDR’s ability to recognize history changing situations and decisions is a trait that helped him throughout his presidency. He recognized that the decisions he was going to be making and the laws he would be putting into place were ones that had potential to change the course of the U.S. FDR put his abilities and traits to work, and he focused on moving up in the rankings in the Navy. After hardwork and dedication, he finally moved into the position of Assistant Secretary of the Navy (“Franklin Delano Roosevelt”). FDR felt a responsibility to fight with the men of the Navy, rather than sit in an office in Washington. His humility and selflessness shone through, as he prefered to be fighting with his “brothers” against their enemies. However, the…show more content…
The New Deal was passed to reverse the economic depression that the U.S., as well as the world, was experiencing. During the Great Depression, “unemployment rose to 25 percent and homelessness increased. Housing prices plummeted 30 percent, global trade collapsed by 60 percent, and prices fell 10 percent”(Amadeo). It was through that same love for others that FDR passed the specific bills that make up The New Deal. The New Deal was composed of 47 programs. The programs passed were designed to restabilize the U.S. economy, but also, “ provide relief to farmers and jobs to the unemployed, and build private-public partnerships to boost manufacturing”(Amadeo). FDR grew up surrounded by farmers and hard manual labor workers and knew the importance they represented to society and the economy. That is why of those 47 programs, 7 consisted of helping farmers, financially and educationally, teaching them methods of farming and the handling of money (Amadeo). FDR knew that the overseeing of farmers work would boost the economy and fix the hunger that was sweeping over Americans all around the
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