What are your thoughts on FDR's New Deal?
The Democratic Congress acting under the recommendations of the Hoover Commission appointed by President Harry Truman, to "recommend administrative changes in the federal government". FDR, who served four terms and courted communists and socialists, was the closest thing we had, until arguably TODAY, to becoming a socialist dictatorship under a "crisis" to be solved by the New Deal policies, which influence our government to this day.
Wanna hear what the people really thought about FDR's NEW Deal ?
I will say this of the 1930s: there was a much greater tendency then for people to express themselves in song. However, one of the most popular and memorable songs of that period was "Buddy, Can You Spare a Dime." In this regard, the beginning scenes of the recent remake of "King Kong" are accurate, showing the sprawling "Hooverville" as the homeless camps of that time were called. I would suggest that a better reflection of the time came in the fall of 1936, when Roosevelt was campaigning for re-election. He addressed a huge rally one evening in Philadelphia, and the crowd went into near hysterics for the man who they regarded as their hero. Newspaper and radio reporters at the event reported that one of the most popular phrases that people screamed was, "God bless you, Mister Roosevelt." That Roosevelt inspired the nation is shown by one simple detail: he won re-election in 1936, 1940, and 1944. Death was the only opponent Roosevelt could not outdo.
FDR - America's hero or America's downfall? Your thoughts.
eventhough hitler didn't do 12/7, fdr killed millions of innocent germans rather then attack the japanese. he should be impeached.
Any thoughts as to why Churchill did not attend the funeral of FDR in 1945?
Most of you answered that difficulties in air travel could have been the issue; however, one must consider that the Yalta Conference had recently completed and the air travel is not an issue. Churchill flew to many locations during the Second World War. I am more inclined to believe that by this point the PM's enthusiasm on the one hand had waned dramatically. There were many slights that he took as well, one being the halt of meat exports to Britain at this time from the U.S. through Lend Lease. Another more important one was a draconian curb on postwar British civil aviation in accordance with the terms of Lend Lease. Yes, the war was still on and nearing an end - the King would not likely have gone but would have sent Churchill in his place had the war not still been raging. American unilateralism on the eastern European issues was another matter to add on to the list here. Lastly, the good PM was likely worn and tired himself. Thank you Great Britain and thank you England!
What is the first thought that comes to your mind on hearing the letters "FDR?"
1st and foremost President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who tried to lead the US out of the Great Depression and was the president for almost 13 years, led the Allies in the war effort during WWII against the Axis Powers of Germany, Japan & Italy. Who established all sort of Governmental Departments to set up America for a recovery in the depths of the Great Depression lasting from the early 30’s thru the beginning years of WW2. Among many other items to reform how government was to respond to economic downturns & conditions.
What did the press think of FDR?
The press absolutely adored FDR. Twice a week, the White House press corps were invited into the Oval Office, and FDR would answer any and all questions thrown at him. Roosevelt held 337 press conferences during his first term, and 998 during his 12 years as president (this number would likely have been higher if not for WWII, when the press conferences became less frequent). The press always felt that they received honest and well-thought out answers from FDR, and they loved his willingness to field all questions thrown at him.Our current president has much to learn from FDR.FDR and a group of reporters enjoying each other’s company as if they are the best of friends.
What did FDR think about what Hoover did?
Any of FDR’s judgement on Hoover’s response to the Great Depression was clouded by an incident that happened between the two men while Hoover was President and Roosevelt was Governor of New York.At one time, FDR was an admirer of Hoover’s humanitarian work and thought of him as someone he’d like to see as President someday. He was deeply disappointed by Hoover declaring himself a Republican. Once the depression hit, FDR thought Hoover’s reaction to it woefully underwhelming and made no qualms about using what measures were available to him in New York to go further. The personal incident between the two men I mentioned above only intensified FDR’s opposition to Hoover. Hoover was scheduled to hold a meeting with FDR and several other state governors, but Hoover ran late either accidentally or intentionally. The hallway he’d chosen for the governors to wait in had no chairs and FDR was forced to stand with his cane and painful braces for over two hours before Hoover arrived. Hoover knew well of FDR’s condition and Roosevelt never really forgave him for it. Hoover himself had similarly hard feelings. He thought Roosevelt was a liar and a fraud. It is one of the most poisonous relationships between predecessor and successor in Presidential history.