Franklin D. Roosevelt
By: Catherine Waddell and Sydney Poore
Franklin D Roosevelt
People thought that he could bring a new approach to politics, so they nominated him as their candidate. Roosevelt won the election proving that Americans wanted a change. He promised many changes on the economy during this time.
Brain trust
Brain Trust was advertisers to Roosevelt's campaign for president. The term was made up of journalists and they gained national currency. Moley, Tugwell, Berle Jr. were the three principal members. Brain Trust presented Roosevelt thinking about the economic and social problems with the nation. It also helped him weigh the alternatives of public policy that would be open to the new president. Brain trust presented ideas for his campaign; for example, his speeches. All of these ideas were looked at by Roosevelt and were considerable. Brain Trust helped him guide the nation to recovery.
The hundred days
After the banking problems, President Roosevelt started looking at other areas of national concern. The Hundred Days is the first phase of the New Deal. He sent Congress proposals for other problems to deal with the economy. All of the proposals he sent were approved by congress. Roosevelt called to have a meeting to launch his proposals and later this became known as the Hundred Days. This session dealt with problems of the Depression. In his first one hundred days in office he had won the passing of twelve major laws.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt showed that being first lady did make an impact. She gave the press information on human rights, and women issues. She even had her own newspaper column called “My Day”. She also did her best to help the country’s poor, and tried to stand against discrimination racism. For some of her actions she was criticized, but on other occasions she was looked up to by many. Besides being the first lady, she also had many other high positions in the gov’t. She became a chairman in the UN’s human rights commision. President John F. Kennedy made her a delegate to the United Nations.
Fireside Chats
Roosevelt would deliver speeches and Reporter Harry Butcher called them “ fireside chats” and this name stuck. These speeches were done when he was in the White House by the fireplace. This name perfectly fit the speeches because it perfectly expressed his words. He was very careful to be specific and simple so that the Americans could understand what he is saying. He addressed his listeners directly and personally using you and I. In speeches he would use inspirational people in them like Abraham Lincoln. At the end of each speech he would send a patriotic message. He would also include religion to urge the Americans to face difficulties with patience and faith. His speeches boosted their confidence and help contribute to Roosevelt’s election win.