Franklin d Roosevelt Flashcards
what was the first new deal and when was it passed
-1933 It aimed to solve overproduction by paying farmers to produce less, regulate banking and the stock exchange and revitalise industry, create new jobs and provide direct relief for the unemployed
FDR managed to pass this in 100 days
what was the second new deal and when was it passed
-1935 it was when the social security act was established and put in place the revolutionary principle of federal government responsibility for the provision of direct relief to the elderly and unemployed.
What was the impact of new deal thinking
Increase in gov responsibility on social and economic issues step away from lassie faire
-importance of national, rapid action
-congress accepted due to war rhetoric
-Federal government took over some policy making responsibility that was usually for state gov
Post war consensus with republicans backing social security act while businessmen accepting gov role in economy
what is a welfare state
state that looks after its citizens
Examples of opposition to FDR policies
-wealthy businessmen and upper class as did not like his ideas of redistribution of wealth (opened door to socialism)
-left wing thought it wasn’t radical enough
-fdr too dictatory
How did Roosevelt expand the role of the president and why did people oppose
-Frequently used the power of the executive to override congress
-people still opposed too much government intervention, thought he was a would-be dictator
-Made links with the media
What was the significance of the New Deals
-Marked a radical shift in US politics as the people wanted the president to be more involved and expected this.
-Move away from Republican views of non-interventionalist and voluntarianism to more government involvement
Why was Franklin D Roosevelt so popular
-people wanted change from republican policies (uncountability of the stock market, Hoovers poor response and the Great Depression)
-utilized media effectively
-as Govenor of New York he had a good record of creating jobs for the homeless and making a New York subway
-Good positive campaign
-used a wheelchair=more sympathetic to less privileged
-appealed to people affected by GD with his New deal
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How did Roosevelt’s personality make him able to manipulate congress
-charming, confident, persuasive and pragmatic which made it easier for him to make tough decisions
- He was sensible and logical
-he was willing to work with anyone to get the job done which showing his determination to manage and manipulate congress
-continued to push through legislation due to the ease at which c0ngress allowed him to pass laws through
How did Roosevelt use the media to manage the public
-fireside chats (radio broadcasts where he would explain policies in informal terms) made him appear more transparent and relatable
-explained policies in informal terms which made him more understandable and allowed people feel informed unlike Hoover
-off the record press meetings as the media was influential for public popularity
He would get an average of over 4000 letters from people White House mail room one under hoover 70 staff under fdr
Worked closely with speechwriters
Why did the American public want to maintain isolationism
-America was already preoccupied with their own economic problems (GD)
-angry over France and Britian not paying back war debts
-historically have avoided entangling alliances (League of Nations)
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What was the neutrality legislation of 1935
-prohibits the selling of arms or granting loans to belligerents.
What provision was made on the neutrality legislation and why
-FDR started to erode the neutrality legislation as there was a fear of attack and of the growth of fascism on the economy
-He changed it in 1937 so Americans could sell ‘anything but lethal weapons’ to belligerents on a ‘cash on the barrel head come and get it basis’
95 percent Americans in support and didn’t want More war
What were some examples of how Roosevelt bypassed congress
-Destroyers-for-bases deal was made by executive order and bypassed congress and violated the constitution. It was considered by some an act of war and even Roosevelt himself feared impeachment
- convoyed British vessels in the Atlantic. He put the policy in place in summer 1941 and then justified it after with Greer
-Drew up the Atlantic charter which was in effect a declaration of war
Ho did Roosevelt ensure his use of extraordinary powers would be accepted
-Kept an eye on public opinion polls to make sure a majority supported his ideas
