Franklin Delano Roosevelt

"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." This quote represents the ambitions of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. At the young age of 39, Roosevelt contracted Polio that would cause him to be paralyzed from the waist down. He felt the pressure of living up to the image of presidents and was constantly out to prove himself as a strong leader whose physical incapabilities had no influence on his qualifications. Roosevelt's administration would go on to transform the Presidential model. His greatest achievements of his presidency included leading America through The Great Depression, appointing the first female cabinet member, creating The New Deal.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt came into office just as the country was suffering from The Great Depression. The Great Depression was caused by The Farm Crisis, easy access to credit, increase in the gap between poor and wealthy, and problems with the stock market. Effects of The Great Depression included homelessness, the creation of breadlines and soup kitchens, Shantytowns, Hoover flags, and a decline in immigration. Roosevelt was elected into office after winning The Election of 1933. His first official business was resolving the destruction created by The Great Depression. He began by introducing a bank holiday. March 6, 1933, all banks were closed and remained closed until passing an inspection. His second plan of action was The Emergency Banking Plan. Passed March 9, 1933, FDR proposed that all banks must be able to meet financial obligations of their customers before being allowed to reopen. His final steps to the reconstruction of The United States was to implement Fireside Chats. These weekly radio podcast focused on banking and would explain to the people what he was doing and why. 

Apart from leading the country out of The Great Depression, FDR also took strides in offering more political power to women. He appointed the first female cabinet member and supported the participation of his wife in The White House. Eleanor Roosevelt was a determined very active first lady. She had a strong political force and paved the way for future wives of presidents. Eleanor took bold stances for expanding civil rights and was often looked to for guidance by FDR.

Another lasting impact of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency was The New Deal. The purpose of the New Deal was to provide relief, recovery, and reform. Relief meaning providing direct aid in the form of money, food, clothes, and shelter. Recovery meaning providing jobs and programs that put people back to work. Reform meaning changes in how the economy and government work to prevent future issues. Some of the acts passed through the creation of The New Deal are still implemented today including the Social Security Act, the Federal Housing Administration, and the Gold Reserve Act. The Social Security Act creates a personalized retirements plan and provides disability checks if you can no longer work. The Federal Housing Administration facilitates home financing, improves housing standards, and increases employment. The Gold Reserve Act works to transfer ownership of all monetary gold in the US Treasury and financial institutions from redeeming dollars from gold. 

Franklin Roosevelt administration transformed the Presidential model. He was able to live up to the image of a great president and proved himself as a strong leader. His greatest achievements of his presidency included leading America through The Great Depression, appointing the first female cabinet member, creating The New Deal.

Hatmaker, Alicia. "The Cause of The Great Depression." Athens Drive High School,
     6 Nov. 2017. Lecture.
Hatmaker, Alicia. "FDR and The New Deal." Athens Drive High School, 11 Nov. 2017. Lecture.
"Franklin D. Roosevelt." Biography.com, www.biography.com/people/
     franklin-d-roosevelt-9463381.