Franklin D. Roosevelt. “Radio Address of The President”, Radio broadcast, May 7, 1933
On May 7th, 1933, newly elected President Franklin D. Roosevelt broadcasted his first attempt in strengthening the economy through the radio. The Fireside chats aimed to instill hope back into the American public and gain support for his programs. During the Depression, President Roosevelt used the radio to communicate with American citizens. Roosevelt would use plain language to dissect and explain complex economic issues. Roosevelt’s reassuring and steadying effect on the American people boosted confidence. This source reveals a script Roosevelt was reading off of during his fireside chat to raise the spirits of the American public. This source highlights the ongoing issues with the economy and shows nothing had been done after four years after the start of the Great Depression. Americans elected Roosevelt because they believed he could combat the Great Depression better than his opponent Herbert Hoover. The beginning of the New Deal was a chance to brighten the future for American citizens. The main programs highlighted in Roosevelt’s fireside chats were the passage of banking reform laws, work relief programs, emergency relief programs, and agricultural programs, all which helped spur on job opportunities and instill confidence back into the banking industry.
“Full Speech at Madison Square Garden”, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Audio, October 31, 1936.
For twelve years this Nation was afflicted with hear-nothing, see-nothing, do nothing Government. The Nation looked to Government but Government looked away. Nine mocking years with the golden calf and three long years of the scourge! Nine crazy years at the ticker and three long years in the breadlines! Nine mad years of mirage and three long years od despair! Powerful influences strive today to restore that kind of Government with its doctrine that the Government is best which is most indifferent.”- 7:56
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, three days before that year’s presidential election, gave a speech that outlined his new economic policies. The purpose of the rally was that he reviewed his successes from his first term as President and explained how he would continue to promote New Deal policies if elected again as President (as mentioned in the blockquote above). An important aspect of giving a speech three days before the next election is that it reminds people of opportunities Roosevelt had opened for millions of Americans through his relief programs in the first New Deal. The series of Government and social spending programs employed millions of Americans to work on hundreds of public projects across the U.S[1]. While times were difficult for many Americans during the 1930s, Roosevelt did a fantastic job of publicizing and gaining followers on his new policies. Roosevelt knew that he could offer more to the American public, and so, to reap the benefits of more of his programs, the people should elect him to be President once again.
Notes
- “The New Deal – Programs, Social Security & FDR,” HISTORY, last modified November 27, 2019, https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/new-deal.