Sujeeth Narra April 15, 2002

Franklin Delano Roosevelt was a President who purported himself as a capable

and enthusiastic leader. FDR was able to give the nation hope in it’s, and the world’s,

moment of greatest need. FDR was able to assist in fending off those who would

demolish democracy without a single thought of it. Finally, FDR was able to rally the

nation to support his actions. Although FDR committed himself to several great causes,

there were those he misjudged or neglected completely, such as the Japanese internment

camps or inaction on the Holocaust. For these three observances and two detractors,

FDR deserves 8.8 out of 10.

FDR established rather lofty goals he wished to achieve during his administration.

FDR’s primary and most important goal was to pull the United States out of the

Depression. FDR went about this task in a manner no one had ever seen before. FDR

used aggressive tactics to manipulate the economy to resurrect itself. Although FDR was

generally unsuccessful in aiding the economy to it’s former self, he did establish the

precedent in which Presidents become involved with the economy and no longer strictly

apply themselves to laissez faire economics. Due to later developments in world affairs,

FDR’s most recent goal was to put an end to Germany’s, Italy’s, and Japan’s rampage for

power. FDR was able to utilize the U.S. economy and government to aid the Allies.

FDR was able to achieve such greatness due to his ability to appoint Cabinet

members who enthusiastically supported him. The single appointment by FDR that

influenced the current global system is of Cordell Hull to Secretary of State in 1933.

During that time, Hull was able to gain the support of Latin delegates at the 7th Pan-

American Conference, negotiate trade agreements, lower tariffs and stimulate trade with
the new power vested in him from the Trade Agreements Act of 1934, and foresee rising

discontent in the world’s dictatorships and the Japanese attack upon Pearl Harbor. Hull

was also actively engrossed in the policy making conferences as well as designing an

organization dedicated to the maintenance of peace.

During all 12 years of FDR’s reign, both parties of Congress were occupied

largely by Democrats. This aided FDR in passing his New Deal legislature. It can be

assumed FDR had a favorable relationship with Congress as much of his legislature was

approved fairly easily. FDR wisely used this advantage to attempt to achieve his goals.

The cooperation of Congress with FDR’s demands allowed him to cope fairly

well with both domestic and foreign crises. The two major crises included the Great

Depression and World War II. Although FDR was unable to conquer the Depression, he

comprised the small group of people willing to take action upon it. The significance of

this action was loud and clear: FDR would not sit around while the country fell apart,

and this differentiated him from his opponents during elections. During World War II,

FDR was very involved in ending the global war as well as establishing a method to

maintain peace in future times. FDR handled the attack on Pearl Harbor smoothly,

quickly focusing the nation’s capabilities upon the preparation for involvement in the

world war. FDR’s greatest failure was his lack of action to prevent the atrocious acts of

the Holocaust.

FDR’s popularity among the nation’s people allowed him to make errors yet still

be the country’s leader. His consistent re-election also indicates his popularity among the

nation. If FDR had to be described in three adjectives, they would be dynamic,

optimistic, and active. FDR refused to remain dormant for very long after polio crippled
him. Also, FDR remained optimistic that he would be able to walk by himself as well as

the ability of his programs to dig the U.S. out of the Depression. During his

administration, FDR never focused on one specific area, but rather tried to improve the

government in general. For example, instead of dwelling on the failure of his 1st New

Deal, Roosevelt forged ahead with a 2nd New Deal.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt generally succeeded in achieving his goals, but

experienced a few snags along the way. Even with the errors FDR made, he was able to

achieve a good overall rating today. His rating was raised by his New Deal programs, his

fight against fascism, and his popularity among the nation’s people.