History probably considered the top three greatest american president s along with washington and lincoln. It is an assessment based on the fact he steered the nation through the two greatest crises. One internally, the Great Depression and one externally, world war ii. There has been a long and ongoing debate among historians as to whether history is influenced more by individuals or larger social, cultural and economic forces. I think it is of course both of those. Certainly it seems to me that Franklin D Roosevelt is a prime example of the significant of an individuals impact on history. Broader social and Economic Conditions that allowed fdr to become a great leader, but in his case i believe it was force of personality that was a paramount element as i think we will see as we go along. Rooseveltse presidency beginning with a brief look at the conditions in the country that led to his election in 1932. The economic collapse of 1920 nine had brought the worst conditions the country
Ongoing debate among historians as to whether history is influenced more by individuals or larger social, cultural and economic forces. I think it is of course both of those. Certainly it seems to me that franklin d. Roosevelt is a prime example of the significant of an individuals impact on history. It was broader social and Economic Conditions that allowed fdr to become a great leader, but in his case i believe it was force of personality that was a paramount element as i think we will see as we go along. Lets examine roosevelts presidency beginning with a brief look at the conditions in the country that led to his election in 1932. The economic collapse of 1920 9 had brought the worst conditions the country had experienced since the civil war. Herbert hoover seemed incapable of leading the way out of it despite some moderate attempts to do so. The suffering was widespread with approximately one quarter of the workforce unemployed and others having to take substantial pay cuts. The c
Welcome to todays lecture on Franklin Delano roosevelt. The man generally considered by historians to be the greatest president of the 20th century and even beyond that. Throughout all of American History probably considered the top three greatest american president s along with washington and lincoln. It is an assessment based on the fact he steered the nation through the two greatest crises. One internally, the Great Depression and one externally, orld war ii. There has been a long and ngoing debate among historians as to whether history is influenced more by individuals or larger social, cultural and economic forces. I think it is of course both of those. Certainly it seems to me that ranklin d roosevelt is a prime example of the significant of an individuals impact on history. It was broader social and Economic Conditions that allowed fdr to become a great leader, but in his case i believe it was force of personality that was a paramount element as i think we will see as we go alon
Me it is my belief that the only thing that we have to fear is fear itself. By the time Franklin Roosevelt gives his march 1933 inaugural speech, almost a quarter of the nation is unemployed. More than 5,000 banks have failed and drought is persisting in key agricultural areas of the country. People must have faith. Coming up in the next hour, stories from the Great Depression as we take you to places like toledo and then in 1931 five of the six largest banks all failed at the same time which made it the largest banking failure of the Great Depression. To successful infrastructure of the times still impacting us today. And to one ending in tragedy. Well talk you to st. Paul with gangsters and the corrupt police force strike a bargain. Well explore the impact of new deal programs like the Conservation Corp as we go just outside of amarillo, texas. We wouldnt have a park here if it wasnt for the Conservation Corp. And well hear from artists who tell tales. We begin our cities tour featur
Plunges and a financial panic gripped the world. This land is your land this land is my land from california to the New York Island i have but one desire, and that is to see my country again on the road to prosperity. This land was made for you and me let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself. By the time Franklin Roosevelt gives his march 1933 inaugural speech, almost a quarter of the nation is unemployed. More than 5,000 banks have failed and drought is persisting in key agricultural areas of the country. Coming up in the next hour, stories from the Great Depression as we take you around the country to places like toledo. And then in 1931, five of the six largest banks in toledo all failed at the same time, which made it the largest banking failure of the Great Depression. Two successful Infrastructure Projects of the time still impacting us today. And to one ending in tragedy. Well take you to saint paul where depression gangsters and the corrup