USA Unit 1(0.2) Flashcards
When did Roosevelt become president?
How many presedential elections did he win?
-Roosevelt first became president in 1933.
-He would remain president for the rest of his life winning 4 presedential elections.
What did Roosevelt suffer from? How do historians describe his character.
-Polio, losing the use of his legs.
-He’s remembered for having a complex personality. On one hand he was charming and warm, the other he could be evasive and devious.
What did Roosevelt give Americans hope for in his inaugral address?
What measures did Roosevelt support?
-Provided hope that he would improve the economic situation.
-Taking advice from his formal cabinet Roosevelt supported a host of measures to get Americans back to work.
How did Roosevelt prove himself a masterly politician?
-One of his strengths was his receptiveness to new ideas.
-He was able to sell these ‘new ideas’ to Congress and the public.
How did Roosevelt prove himself a masterly politician?
-One of his strengths was his receptiveness to new ideas.
-He was able to sell these ‘new ideas’ to Congress and the public.
Were all of Roosevelt’s New Deal measures successful?
NO. But some were and slowly the US economy improved.
What happened in the 1936 election? Who was Landon what did he want to do?
-Roosevelt was nominated promising more reform.
-Republican candidate Landon wanted to reduce public spending and balance the budget.
How did Roosevelt turn this to his favour? Who dominated both Congresses after the election?
-Roosevelt seemed to go out his way to stir up class hatreds.
-His strategy worked and won 61% of the popular vote & carried every state except 2.
-The Democrats dominated both houses of Congress.
Why was Roosevelt’s second term not as successful as his first? What 2 examples prove this?
He had to deal with increased opposition:
- Roosevelt’s attempt to reform the Supreme Court led to a storm of protest. He was accused of seeking to overthrow the balance of the Constitution.
-Roosevelt’s Court plan shattered Democratic unity. It convinced many Democrats (Particularly southerners) that Roosevelt had dictatorial ambitions. Post 1937, he found it hard to win support in Congress for his measures.
What happened in the 1940 election? How did the foreign climate help Roosevelt?
-Roosevelt stood for an unprecedented third time.
-The foreign situation meant the USA needed an experienced pair of hands.
-Helped by this Roosevelt won almost 55% of the popular vote.
-449 Electoral votes compared to his opponent Wilkie.
What was Roosevelt’s last two terms dominated by ? How did he act during this?
-WWII.
-Roosevelt proved to be a briliant war leader. He delegated well and had an excellent grasp on the wars direction.
-Aided by his chief of Staff Marshall, he made all the right strategic decisions.
-He defeated Germany, supported an invasion in France and financed the atomic bomb production.
What happened in the 1944 election?
-Roosevelt won his fourth presedential but with fewer votes than 1940. A sign that opinion was moving to the right.
What happened to the opinion of Roosevelt by 1945?
Everything he wanted to do sparked contreversy. In Winston Churchil’s view he was the ‘greatest man I have ever known’.
