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
You today by your television provider. And i come here tonight to the alsmith dinner knowing im the underdog in these final weeks. If you know where to look, there are signs of hope, theres signs of hope, even in the most unexpected places, even in this room, full of proud manhattan democrats, i cant i cant shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me. Im delighted to see you here tonight, hillary. I was thrilled to get this invitation. And i feel right at home here because its often been said that i share the politics of alfred e. Smith and the ears of alfred e. Newman. It is an honor to be here with al smith. I obviously never knew your great grandfather but from everything that senator mccain has told me the two of them had a great time together before prohibition. So of course i am delighted. But not surprised by the final repeal of the 18th amendment. I felt all along that when this matter was properly submitted to the rank and file of our people they would readily
Cspan3, created by americas Cable Television companies as a Public Service and brought to you today by your television provider. I come here tonight to the Al Smith Dinner knowing im the underdog in the final weeks. If you know where to look, there are signs of hope. Even in the most unexpected places, even in this room full of proud manhattan democrats, i cant i cant shake that feeling that some people here are pulling for me. [ applause ] im delighted to see you here tonight, hilary. [ laughter ] i was thrilled to get this invitation and i feel at home here because its often been said that i share the politics of alford e. Smith and the ears of alford e. Newman. Its an honor to be here with al smith. I never knew your great grandfather. From everything that senator mccain has told me [ laughter ] the two of them had a great time together before prohibition. Of course im delighted, but not surprised, by the final repeal of the 18th amendment. I felt all along that when this matter was
I stand before you without a single pledge or promise or understanding of any kind except for the advancement of your costs and that your cause and that of democracy. [applause] i expect the republicans, in we want wilkie, and as we watch on images of him on the campaign trail, we are joined here, in russia indiana, with wilkie. I want to introduce her audience, to some of these iconic images, of the campaign, they really surrounded the ground or thought. He ran for president , and try to defeat roosevelt, who is seeking a third term. The end of the hovered ministration, going for eight years in the result administration, roosevelt was president roosevelt right at the height of his power, and that opened up a time for a dark horse candidate to come outside of the political spectrum. Keep in mind the state of the Republican Party, this was a party that had been defeated by roosevelt in 1932. Off landed in 1836, so, what were the republicans looking for, and why was your grandfather the