POTUS

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) APUSH Rundown

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, often referred to by his initials FDR, was the 32nd President of the United States, serving from 1933 until his death in 1945. His presidency is largely defined by his response to the Great Depression and his leadership during World War II.

Key Events and Associations:

• Great Depression: FDR inherited the economic crisis triggered by the Stock Market Crash of 1929. His administration implemented the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms aimed at relief, recovery, and reform.
• New Deal: A sweeping set of government programs and reforms enacted in response to the Great Depression. Its main goals were to provide immediate relief to the unemployed, stimulate economic recovery, and reform the economic system to prevent future depressions.
  • Criticisms: The New Deal was criticized by some conservatives for expanding the role of the federal government and increasing national debt. Some liberals argued it did not go far enough in addressing economic inequality.
• World War II: Initially, FDR maintained a policy of neutrality, but the Pearl Harbor Attack in 1941 led the US to enter World War II. He played a crucial role in forming the Allied Powers and strategizing for victory.
• Pearl Harbor: Before the attack, FDR ordered an oil embargo on Japan, which was attempting to expand its empire into Asia. On December 7th, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor which led to the US joining WWII.

Important Legislation and Programs:

• Emergency Banking Act (1933): This act addressed the banking crisis by providing for the reopening of banks under strict regulation and federal oversight. It also established the FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) to ensure bank deposits.
• AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act): Aimed to raise agricultural prices by limiting production. Farmers were paid subsidies to reduce their acreage and crops. It was later declared unconstitutional but replaced with revised legislation.
• CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps): A public work relief program that employed young men in environmental projects like reforestation and conservation.
• TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority): A federal corporation created to modernize the Tennessee Valley region by building dams, generating electricity, controlling floods, and improving navigation and agriculture.
• WPA (Works Progress Administration): Employed millions of unemployed people to carry out public works projects, including the construction of buildings, roads, and bridges.
• Social Security Act (1935): Established a system of old-age benefits for workers, benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, aid for dependent mothers and children, the blind, and the physically handicapped.
• Wagner Act (National Labor Relations Act, 1935): Guaranteed workers the right to organize and bargain collectively. It also established the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).
• Lend-Lease Act (1941): Allowed the US to provide military aid to Great Britain and other Allied nations without requiring immediate payment.

Groups and Affiliations:

• Democrats: FDR was a prominent member of the Democratic Party and shifted the party’s base towards a more progressive and interventionist stance.
• Brain Trust: A group of academics and experts who advised FDR on policy matters during his presidency. They played a key role in shaping the New Deal.
• Allied Powers: During World War II, FDR was a leading figure in the alliance between the United States, Great Britain, the Soviet Union and other nations against the Axis Powers.

Impact on the Country:

• Expanded Role of Government: FDR’s New Deal significantly expanded the role and size of the federal government in the economy and society. Many of the programs and agencies created during this era continue to exist today.
• Shift in Political Alignment: FDR forged a new Democratic coalition consisting of labor unions, farmers, African Americans, and urban ethnic groups, which dominated American politics for decades.
• World War II Leadership: FDR’s leadership during World War II was crucial to the Allied Powers’ victory. He helped mobilize the American economy and military for war and played a key role in shaping the post-war world order.
• Legacy of Hope: Despite facing immense challenges, FDR inspired hope and confidence in the American people. His Fireside Chats and optimistic leadership helped the nation overcome the Great Depression and win World War II.
• Controversies: While immensely popular, FDR’s presidency also faced criticism. Some conservatives opposed the expansion of government power and the growth of the national debt. Others criticized his handling of foreign policy prior to World War II, arguing he should have intervened sooner.

FDR’s presidency remains one of the most consequential in American history, shaping the modern role of government and solidifying the United States’ position as a global superpower.