Tonirose Babasoro

American Democracy
11/10/14
Franklin Roosevelt: His Efficacy
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected into office in 1933. He led the United States through the
Great Depression and World War II, making him one of the most notable presidents of America.
Franklin Roosevelt was an effective president through the exercise of his presidential roles as the
Guardian of the Economy, Chief Legislator and Head of State. The usage of many reforms
-which accumulated into the New Deal- contributed to the revival of the American nation. He
expanded the federal powers of the government with the start of his First Hundred Days.

As guardian of the economy, in his First Hundred Days, Roosevelt enacted laws and
corporations in hopes of recovering the peoples confidence in Americas financial systems and
to employ those who are impoverished. Roosevelt ended the gold standard to avoid deflation,
consequently, more money was printed to prime the pump of the economy (Shmoop). He
created a national bank holiday, where banks all around the country would close to prevent
bankruptcy. The Federal Deposit Insurance Commission, or simply as the FDIC, allowed banks
to back up deposits of up to $2,500 which in part returned the trust of wary customers. The FDIC
continues to protect deposits to this day. To lower unemployment rates, Roosevelt created the
Civilian Conservation Corps. In the CCC, approximately 250,000 men were sent to work at
national parks and forests for conservation projects.

Roosevelt was known for the New Deal, a series of programs and laws that focused on
Relief, Recovery, and Reform from the Great Depression. Relief stood to employ the

unemployed and assist the poor. Recovery was to revive the economy, while Reform was to fix
the financial system to prevent another depression. As chief legislator, he dealt with an
unemployment rate [of] 25 [percent]... in industrial areas [whilst] farm prices [at[ 50 [percent]"
(Morrow). Relief can be divided into two sections: public works and farm programs. In public
works, the Public Works Administration provided funding to create more government buildings,
hospitals, bridges, and more. Unemployed people were put to work for construction in the public
works section. Farm/rural programs were supported by the Works Progress Administration,
National Youth Administration, Forest Service and the Civilian Conservation Corps. Workers
were tasked with reforestation and flood control. After the New Deal, U.S. unemployment
exceeded 20 percent- compared to the 12 percent unemployment rate in European countries
(Folsom). Roosevelt's New Deal allowed for impoverished people to earn a wage and feed their
families.

In continuation to promoting effectivity, he raised the spirits and trust of the American
populace. As the Head of State, he introduced the fireside chats where he would speak to the
American audience as if they were his own friends about news and political affairs. Roosevelts
voice shone through the radio as charisma and current events filled the living rooms of many
Americans. On the sixteenth of October 1940, he spoke about the first peacetime draft that was
ordered on previous month. Fireside chats allowed him to directly address the masses of any
controversial issues and important statements.

In conclusion, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was an effective president due to his roles as
the Guardian of the Economy, Chief Legislator and Head of State which were complemented by
the New Deal. It allowed for relief, recovery and reform even if in temporary period of time.

Roosevelts New Deal allowed the populace to live through the ongoing struggle of poverty from
the Great Depression and the continuous death from World War II.

Works Cited
Bio. "Franklin D. Roosevelt Biography." Bio.com. A&E Networks Television, 2014. Web. 22
Nov. 2014. <http://www.biography.com/people/franklin-d-roosevelt-9463381#synopsis>.

Shmoop Editorial Team. "Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR): First 100 Days."Shmoop.com. Shmoop
University, Inc., 11 Nov. 2008. Web. 20 Nov. 2014. <http://www.shmoop.com/franklin-droosevelt-fdr/first-100-days.html>.
Taljera. "Franklin D. Roosevelt." Ms. Taljera. Ms. Taljera, Jan. 2011. Web. 18
Nov. 2014. <http://mstalreja.files.wordpress.com/2011/01/
franklin_d_roosevelt1.pdf>.
Wikipedia. "Fireside Chats." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 19 Nov. 2014. Web. 20 Nov.
2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fireside_chats>.
Wikipedia. "New Deal." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Nov. 2014. Web. 21 Nov. 2014.
<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Deal>.
Wikipedia. "Works Progress Administration." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 20 Nov. 2014.
Web. 21 Nov. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Works_Progress_Administration>.