18-1 ush
DESCRIPTION
Background of Franklin Delano RooseveltTRANSCRIPT
ROOSEVELT TAKES OFFICECH.18 SEC.1
EARLY LIFE*Born in 1882
* Grew up in Hyde Park, NY (Next to the Hudson River)
* Loved outdoor activities; began his commitment to conservation
* Went to Harvard for college & Columbia for law school
Early Political Career
*Became a NY Senator in 1910
* Became asst. secretary of the Navy during WWI
*Ran for V.P. for the democrats in 1920 (lost)
* Came down with polio in 1921, refused to leave politics & vowed to beat his disease
Governor of New York
* Ran for governor & won in 1928
* Cut taxes for farmers & reduced prices on public utilities
* When the Depression hit, FDR set up a state relief fund to help the unemployed
* His use of govt power to help others impressed many throughout the country
Presidential Run
* Ran on the Democrat ticket against Herbert Hoover in 1932
*Stepped into a mess of a situation:
•Most of the banks in the U.S. were closed
•1 in 4 Americans unemployed
•Economy was at a standstill
FDR’s Resolve
Knew he had to restore the nation’s confidence
Delivered an inaugural address that declared:
“...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself...”
“This nation asks for action, and action now!”
Franklin & Eleanor
*Met in school at Harvard
* Were distantly related (cousin’s niece)
* While sick with polio, Eleanor went & delivered FDR’s speeches at the NY Senate
* Grew apart as time went on, lived in separate residences eventually
FDR & Polio* FDR became a lifelong supporter of finding a cure for polio
* Organized the “March of Dimes” which raised money for polio research
* A cure was found after FDR’s death
* His face is now immortalized on the dime