Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Who did FDR depend on heavily to serve as his "eyes and ears"?

Eleanor Roosevelt

Why did Franklin D. Roosevelt seem a strange choice for President during the Depression?

He had never known economic hardship. From his parents and teachers, FDR gained a great deal of self-confidence and a belief that public service was a noble calling.

By 1933, the Great Depression had reached its depth. In what part of President Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address did he say what has terrified and crippled the nation?

In this famous part of the speech, Roosevelt says that fear itself, a nameless terror, will prevent people from working to solve the problems of the depression.

Why did the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) attract so much criticism?

It was a power company run by the federal government The TVA was a federal government agency. It built a series of dams in the Tennessee River Valley to control floods and generate electrical power. The TVA succeeded in improving life for people in the area, but the government was criticized for running its own businesses.

In general, how did the Right view the New Deal?

Many on the Right felt it was "too much." Conservatives thought the New Deal made the government too powerful. They felt it was destroying free enterprise and undermining individualism by letting government tell businesses how to operate.

What challenge did Father Charles Coughlin and Senator Huey Long pose to Franklin D. Roosevelt's recovery programs?

They attracted large audiences by claiming the New Deal failed the poor. Coughlin and Long criticized Roosevelt for not doing enough to help the poor. Both were strong performers whose populist message reached large audiences throughout the nation.

Why did the members of the American Liberty League oppose the New Deal?

They believed it made government too powerful. Members of the American Liberty League were opposed to the growth of government power under the New Deal. They believed that the New Deal was giving the government too much control over business and was undermining individualism.

What crisis did Franklin D. Roosevelt help calm with the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), explained in the first of his fireside chats?

a banking panic Late in 1932, many banks began to fail. Roosevelt took quick action, then explained on the radio how his measures made the banks a safe place to keep money. The FDIC insured bank deposits up to $5,000. His calming words and sound policies reassured the American people and stemmed the run on banks.

What caused Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) to run for President during the Great Depression?

a dedication to public service Enjoying the privileges of an upper-class background, Roosevelt rose quickly through the political ranks in New York state, was Woodrow Wilson's Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and later was a vice presidential nominee on the path to the presidency.

What did Roosevelt say he would do if Congress did not support his measures to pull the nation out of the Great Depression?

broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe. Roosevelt's threat to use "broad Executive power" invited criticism by those who believed that this would make the government too powerful.

What idea was the centerpiece of FDR's New Deal with which he hoped to reverse the depression?

experimentation with federal programs Roosevelt believed that the depression required strong action and leadership by the federal government. He wanted to experiment with programs to see which ones worked best.

The Public Works Administration (PWA) helped make improvements to what part of the nation's economy?

infrastructure and jobs The public-works projects, such as dams and bridges, built by the PWA provided millions of new jobs while improving the nation's infrastructure.

What opportunities did the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) offer young men affected by the depression?

outdoor labor employment The CCC improved forests, farms, and other natural resources. Over 2 million young men found work with this New Deal government agency.

What was Senator Huey Long's solution to the depression?

the "Share Our Wealth" program Senator Long proposed high taxes on the wealthy and large corporations and the redistribution of their income to poor Americans.

Which of Roosevelt's programs tried to counter the depression's devastating impact on young men?

the Civilian Conservation Corps, or CCC The CCC provided jobs for more than 2 million young men. As part of their work, CCC men replanted forests and fought fires. FDR called the CCC his favorite New Deal program.

What were the goals of the New Deal?

to provide relief, achieve recovery, and institute reform Roosevelt was known as a reformer and was convinced that the federal government needed to play an active role in promoting recovery and providing relief to Americans.

What was the main purpose of the National Recovery Administration (NRA)?

to set minimum wages and prices Roosevelt created the NRA to negotiate minimum wages and prices with business and labor leaders. These measures increased consumption among workers and raised profits for companies.