Franklin Roosevelt Essay -- essays research papers

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, (1882-1945), 32nd president of the United States. Roosevelt became president in March 1933 at the depth of the Great Depression. He was reelected for three more terms, and died in office in April 1945. He was a fascinating idealist whose confidence helped carry on the American people during the strains of economic crisis and world war even though he had an attack of poliomyelitis, which paralyzed his legs in 1921. He was one of America's most touchy leaders. Though Roosevelt labored hard to end the Depression, he had not very much success. It was not until 1939 and 1940 that success returned. Roosevelt also showed limits in his handling of foreign policy. In the 1930's he did not warn right away the danger of tyranny, and during the war he relied greatly on his charm and personality in the conduct of peacekeeping. Roosevelt's reputation is very high. In acting upon the Great Depression he did a lot to develop a good state in the United States and to make the federal government and means of social and economic reform. As president, Roosevelt passed as many bills, lobbing for as much congressional support as he could get to aid him in his attempts to help the unemployed, starving and poor people that society had forgotten. Never in the history of the United States had there ever been such a terrible, long-lasting, economic depression then the one that began just before President Roosevelt ran for his first presidential election. Thirteen million peo...