The Franklin Roosevelt Presidency
An Overview of the Key Events During Roosevelt's Time in Office
Apr 26, 2008
Franklin D. Roosevelt was the longest serving US President of all time. He is usually ranked second in polls of presidential greatness, and is considered to be the father of the modern presidency. His period in office coincided with extremely tumultuous times: the Great Depression was raging at home, whilst the Second World War took place overseas. Roosevelt is generally regarded as being one of the greatest Presidents. Here is a brief look at what made his presidency stand out.
In the foreign policy arena, Roosevelt made the most of his dual roles as Commander in Chief and Chief Diplomat. He expanded the powers of the presidency by bringing the Armed Forces under his direct control, a feat which paved the way for other presidents to take a more active role. Notably, he also ended America’s long period of isolationism, firstly through his Good Neighbour Policy, which involved Latin America, and secondly through his participation in the Second World War. Policies of particular relevance include the Lend-Lease agreement with Britain, which allowed the US to contribute large amounts of war supplies, and the joint development with Churchill of the Atlantic Charter. This document would go on to be the basis for the UN Charter. Roosevelt was also heavily involved in the creation of the IMF, which would play an important role in postwar European recovery.
Roosevelt was a hugely successful foreign politician, however he did make mistakes. His decision to imprison over a hundred thousand Japanese-Americans in camps following the events at Pearl Harbor is probably the most serious error in judgement, showing as it did a complete lack of respect for civil rights and race issues. He must also be held partly responsible for failing to settle the question of Eastern Europe at the Yalta Conference in 1945. This short-sightedness was partly responsible for the Cold War which followed.
Arguably, Roosevelt’s greatest achievements were in domestic policy. When he took over the presidency, America was in a deep financial crisis. Banks were caving as panicked customers withdrew their savings and unemployment was soaring. In his famous Hundred Days, Roosevelt implemented a drastic program of relief, recovery and reform which was to be the basis of his New Deal. Important legislation included the Social Security Act, the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps and the National Industrial Recovery Act. Crucially, Roosevelt managed through his excellent media skills to reassure the American public and restore their faith in the banking system.
The New Deal did not instantly solve America’s financial problems. Roosevelt was unable to sustain the cost of many of the programs during the war years, and it took the effects of the war to completely restore the economy. It also caused a divide in the Democratic Party. He is however responsible for the emergence of the welfare state.
Franklin Roosevelt brought about several key changes to the presidency and is credited with having institutionalised the Executive Office. He noticeably enlarged the office, and is responsible for involving the government in business and the private sector. His presidency was a turning point in the history of the office and he is remembered as the first of the modern presidents.
 |
