Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt:
Leaders Who Built a Superpower and the
Modern American Presidency
Alexander Zachos
Fall 2006
Political Science Capstone
Men of Action
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American Presidency can often be a frustrating office:
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Rigid institutions partisan fights, re-election.
Many presidents do not make an impact
TR and FDR left a long-lasting legacies on the presidency and
the country.
Each president came into office during very crucial periods of
social upheaval and political change.
Both had upper-class origins, confidence, and natural leadership
ability combined with Progressive Roots.
They can be politically analyzed, compared, and
contrasted in several different traditional political
arenas.
Their most important similarity:
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They did not allow their decisions to be governed by fear of change.
Thesis
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TR and FDR were both presidents for whom actions
spoke louder than words. They both came to office
during times of great political change and crisis. They
acted within the Progressive theme of the early 20th
century but furthermore, it was their bold action during
these times that eventually led to the creation of the
modern American presidency and an American
superpower.
In accomplishing these endeavors both presidents
created and strengthened the presidential roles of: chief
of party, chief legislator, chief policy maker, chief
administrator, commander-in chief, and chief diplomat.
Theodore Roosevelt
TR Childhood
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Upper-class parents: both sides
Not an ordinary child for 2 reasons one social and one intellectual:
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Wealthy
Gifted mind and memory
Childhood dark side: sickness
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Severe Asthma, near-sighted, and a nervous digestive system.
Overcoming of sickness creates his sense of heroism
Considers himself a “self-created character”
Metamorphosis from thin sickly boy to model for masculinity.
Commitment to politics and most important views emerged
from his youthful struggles.
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Obsession with physical prowess showed main insecurity, his youthfulness.
“For Theodore Roosevelt even more than for most people, the child was
the father of the man.”
Early Political Career
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First position was nominated for a Republican seat in the
New York Assembly: 1882
Police Commissioner of New York: 1880s-1890s
Assistant Secretary to the Navy: 1890s
Governor of New York: 1898
Vice-President of United States: 1900
Other careers:
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Historian (War of 1812) (Winning of the West)
Dakota Rancher and Cattleman
Colonel of the Rough Riders: Answered his prayers and brought
him the fame necessary to win the Vice-Presidency.
Analysis of TR’s Political Views
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New Imperialism: fight for colonies is now based on industrial
rivalries and economic interdependence.
Militarism: affected by father’s failure
Rejection of Materialism and calling upon the people to aspire for a
higher purpose (paradox: wealth)
American Expansion and Necessary involvement in world affairs.
Anglo-superiority
Expanded federal government to control big business
Progressivism: Idea that society should make social progress and
that people’s lives could be improved sometimes at the expense of
businessmen.
Conservation of natural resources
Trust-busting
Cultural Advancement
First Presidency (1901-1904)
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President McKinley assassinated September 1901.
TR spends majority of presidency battling for control of his party
from factionalized party bosses.
Thus, actual policy achievement was limited during his first term
with some exceptions.
He campaigned for re-election in 1904, in control of his party,
promising America a “Square Deal”.
Second Presidency (1904-1908)
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1904 re-election, he asserted his proven political power with a
rejuvenation of activity and the high point of his presidency.
Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
Manipulated Congress using three tactics:
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Great speeches to counter railway propaganda
Gained support of Capitol Hill by bargaining with the Old Guard
Republicans
Played back and forth with the Senate among Progressives, moderates,
and Democrats in order to achieve policy goals
He achieved greater success in domestic and foreign policy between
1904 and 1907, but was stymied by his party, congress, and the
courts during the last two years of his presidency.
TR leaves important legacy and
affects FDR
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His greatest legacy did not come from his policy successes.
He was a strong, influential, and bold leader.
Experienced and confident politician who brought new dynamics to the presidency:
Instead he pursued social advancement and deeper national loyalty.
He fought class divisions and appealed to minority ethnic and social classes.
He used the “whole government of the United States” to mitigate harsh social and
economic conditions of his time.
The most important task of a political leader is to educate the public and create a
demand for change.
His legacy left an important imprint on the later Roosevelt President :Franklin D.
Roosevelt.
Young FDR mimicked his kinsman’s path: Assembly, Ass. Secretary of the Navy,
Governor of NY, then presidency
FDR had talent, wealth, and the experiences of his fifth cousin (“Uncle Teddy”)
Atmosphere prior to FDR’s election
in 1932
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1929 Stock Market Crash causes the Great Depression
Besides the Civil War, it is considered to be the worst crisis in
American History.
Who is to blame? Obviously the big-businessmen.
The Great Depression turns focus of America “homeward”
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Apathy towards world affairs, despite Wilson’s warnings
Isolationism characterizes American sentiments from 1929-1938
FDR was Governor of NY and promises not to forget “the forgotten
man at the bottom of the economic pyramid”
The Nation is in need of bold action, expanded government for
relief, and a leader to offer inspiration and strength
FDR rejects all systems and dedicates himself to providing hope and
relief for the American working man and American morale.
The Great Depression
Analysis of FDR’s Political Views
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He had a keen ability to reject rigid political systems whenever
necessary.
His technique for liberal government was pragmatism.
He respected clear ideas, accepted them, and used them but was
always skeptical about their relationship to reality.
The battle between New Nationalism versus New Freedom divided
American Liberalism:
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FDR’s New Deal had elements of both
Schlesinger quoted, “He had no philosophy save experiment, which
was a technique; constitutionalism, which was a procedure; and
humanity, which was a faith.”
People began to believe in the free, welfare state, with economic
stability, and social justice.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
First Phase of FDR’s Presidencies
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FDR’s four presidencies can be divided into two major phases of different
emphasis: one domestic and one foreign
His first phase from 1932 to around 1937 was characterized by a desperate
need for action on the domestic front:
First New Deal and First Hundred Days
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Later New Deal
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Social Security Act of 1935
FDR versus the Courts and Congress
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Characterized by a high rate of activity, although courts struck down most of the
legislation, the social effects of the New Deal are immeasurable.
Conservative strict-constructionist Supreme Court largely undid most of the New
Deal’s policy
Republican resurgence in Congress in the 1938 elections, primarily blocked his
reform attempts and this brought an end to his New Deal and the First Phase of
his Presidency.
Foreign Policy
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Isolation is the word
Second Phase of FDR’s
Presidencies
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Rise of Fascism in Europe: Hitler and Mussolini rise up to power in
Germany and Italy during a time of American Isolation.
By 1938, Hitler had taken over most of Europe without firing a shot.
FDR.
Shift away from isolationism between 1938 and 1941 is gradual.
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Panay crisis
Increased armaments
Britain put on the defensive, new emphasis on America’s role
Revision of the Neutrality act.
It was indeed Pearl Harbor that completely blew Americans out of
complacency, on December 7, 1941.
Sharp criticism for “the architect of victory”, along with high
compliment
FDR’s Domestic and Foreign
Legacies
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Unlike Theodore Roosevelt, FDR has many pivotal policy legacies
that are worth noting:
Domestic:
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Pluralism- intellectual idea emerged in 1920s to influence approaches
to organization and problem solving. It favored widespread decisionmaking and constant improvisation. He wanted a flexible and
democratic federal branch, best fitted to solve social problems
Foreign:
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“Principally influenced by Pearl Harbor, which destroyed isolationist
contentions about American invulnerability to attack, and by the
country’s emergence as the world’s foremost Power, the nation ended
the war ready to shoulder substantial responsibilities in foreign affairs.”Robert Dallek
Evident by bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki:
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FDR tried to show the world, by action, that the United States would be the
hegemonic leader in a New World Order.
Analysis of TR and FDR as
“Chief of Party”
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TR was a progressive Republican who had to wrestle control of his
party from Old-Guard Republican bosses like Mark Hanna of Ohio.
He never really united the party, but he achieved some of his goals
through manipulation of Old Guard Congressmen.
After he announced that he would not run for a third term in 1908,
his party treated him as a lame duck and his relations with them
soared to the point of open hostility.
FDR, on the other hand, united his party and created a new
Democratic constituency made up of Northern industrial workers,
ethnic minorities, and the farm bloc.
Cooper says, “ The international crisis at the end of the 1930s,
which renewed his lease on the Theodore Rooseveltian role of
transcendent national leader, was what furnished (FDR’s)
opportunity to fulfill the Wilsonian role of party leader.”
Analysis as “Progressives”
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It is clear that FDR was affected by TR and Wilson’s Progressivism.
TR’s social and economic Progressivism was characterized by moral
advancement of society.
Pure Food and Drug Act (Upton Sinclair The Jungle )
FDR’s New Dealers were not concerned with the moral advancement
of society, but rather economic progress.
Both presidents came into office during times that necessitated
change.
The movement following the Industrial Revolution was named the
Progressive Movement:
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Government regulation of big-business
Labor reforms and consumer protection
FDR’s Progressivism was classified by the need for:
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Worker’s economic relief
Government’s control of economics
Opposition: TR versus Congress
and Party
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TR and Congress were destined to be opposed
He came into office when decades of legislative supremacy were
ending.
The decline in legislative strength did not please elders on Capitol
Hill.
They would have resisted the increase of presidential power under
any president.
He played delicate games of cat and mouse to achieve his goals.
TR usually won the battle for public opinion versus Congress;
however, this was achieved at some cost to his legislative record
later on.
TR was always fighting and manipulating the Conservative
Republicans for control of his own party, and it was they who
blocked most of his important objectives.
Opposition:
FDR versus the Supreme Court
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Conservative Supreme Court strikes down the NIRA, the AAA, and
the repudiation of the gold clause.
FDR decides to retaliate in 1936 by “packing the court”
He claimed the overworked and overage judges were a detriment
and proposed to be able to appoint as many as six new judges.
This measure failed and lost him support in his party and Congress.
While they were able to defeat the large part of his New Deal, FDR
was responsible for the famous “switch in time that saved nine”.
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FDR was able to nearly replace every justice on the Supreme Court
during his four terms.
He drastically affected the future of the Supreme Court.
FDR and TR with the Media
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TR’s popularity came from his love affair with the media and the
American people.
First presidential career to be conducted within the era of the
“modern journalistic press”
Rough Rider publicity
TR used the journalistic media to strengthen his office, and began
to build a power base apart from party organizations
FDR used the press to achieve his goals:
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FDR and the Press Conference
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He learned reporters’ names, read their stories, and created news for
them
Held weekly press conferences that allowed him to speak for himself
and somewhat control public opinion
FDR press policy fit the democratic ideal of an informed public.
Policy Analysis
Theodore Roosevelt
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TR: Domestic Policy
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TR: Foreign Policy
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1902, Northern Securities prosecution- sought strict federal regulation over private
business.
Bureau of Corporations- Provided needed information about structure, operations, and
work conditions in America’s corporations.
Bureau of Labor- Provided similar information about Labor and its organization.
Venezuela Crisis 1902- Acts boldly but uses great diplomacy in dealing with Wilhelm II
Creation of the Panama Canal- very important for trade routes
Arbitration of the Russo-Japanese War-Wins the Nobel Peace Prize
Jamaica Incident of 1907 and Anglo-American Relations- Upholds the honor of
America, while realizing that Anglo-American relations would be important in the near
future.
Role as Chief Diplomat- perhaps the first president to truly represent this role.
Failures: Stemmed from Several Sources
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Boasted he had dissolved a Plutocracy
Spoke against materialism “Swimming against the strongest tide in American Politics”
Announcement in 1904, that he would not run again in 1908
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Even if he intended not to run, he could have delayed the announcement to achieve the illusion of
future power.
FDR :
Domestic Policy Analysis
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FDR Domestic Policy:
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First New Deal and First Hundred Days
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Banking Reform- Holiday is a term that comforts everyone “Banking Holiday”
AAA and Wallace’s Farm bill- aimed to deal with depressed prices and great
surpluses.
NIRA- Industrial recovery is key. Put people back to work.
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Hugh Johnson negotiates codes with major industries.
It was to raise purchasing power of labor and elevate labor standards.
Sources of trouble were shortage of working capital and demand.
Important legacy is social and psychological rather than economic or political.
Social Security Act 1935- withstood court purging.
Failures: Complex explanations:
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“Court Packing” incident
Last Republican Redoubt- 1938
Too much control of NIRA codes was given to private business rather
than the government.
FDR Foreign Policy Analysis
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Isolation due to American paradigm in 1930s
FDR Foreign Policy:
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Panay Incident- FDR and nation are upset, war is averted due to Japan’s
willingness to apologize.
WWII- “architect of victory” for the Allied Nations
Yalta- toward the end of his life, slightly criticized for giving too much
concession to Stalin
Hiroshima and Nagasaki- Truman carries out FDR’s initiative: to avoid a
“conditional” surrender of Japan, and to show the world that America will be the
new superpower.
FDR role as Chief Diplomat: He exemplified this traditional conception.
Criticisms: Neutrality during the 1930s, misjudgment in :
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Nazi victories: 1938-1941
Caution toward the genocide of European Jews
American Wartime containment of Japanese-Americans
“Trust Busting” versus NIRA
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TR and FDR differed in their approach and intentions toward big-business.
While both personally despised big business men, each had a different
approach for dealing with them:
TR prosecutes Northern Securities and many other trusts
His goal is government regulation and consumer protection at the expense
of large private businessmen.
FDR, in the wake of the Depression, seeks to revive big business
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NIRA
He believes that involving private business in the grand economic scheme is
a major objective to restore the economy.
TR perhaps sought to regulate too much private business; however, FDR’s
Hugh Johnson did not put enough regulation on NIRA codes and this was a
primary cause of their failure.
Imperialism versus Isolationism
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The mood toward foreign affairs was much different in TR’s America than it was in
FDR’s America.
TR in the wake of the Spanish American War
Writings of historians affected the mood of people who begin to believe in American
imperialism and a future superpower
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FDR in the wake of WWI, the corrupt 1920s, and the Stock Market Crash.
National mood is centered on domestic recovery of the economy
Americans sit idly and watch fascism spread over Europe
Until around 1938-1939, Americans and Congress will hear nothing of international
involvement.
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Frederick Jackson Turner (frontier)
Henry Adams and Brooks Adams( Anglo-superiority)
Hitler takes Europe without firing a shot
Many see his demands as justified (Unified German nation and “living space”
FDR knows better, but is handcuffed by Congress and the public opinion
Unhealthy Adult versus Unhealthy
Child
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Each man’s character was strengthened by overcoming of physical
disability.
TR’s frail, sickly youth led him to seek heroism in every encounter
FDR paradoxically, was struck down by polio at the age of 39 and
paralyzed.
Strength of character led to a certain arrogance and yearn for
power.
TR became the model for masculinity with his “bully pulpit” and “big
stick diplomacy”
FDR led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II
while being paralyzed from the waist down.
Having become strong men, it was natural for both to become
strong presidents and create a strong nation.
Creation of the Modern Presidency
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Long history of Leadership Theory
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Modern American Presidential Theory is made up of several
components:
Imperial Presidency (Arthur Schlesinger)
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“Especially in the twentieth century, the circumstances of an
increasingly perilous world as well as of an increasingly interdependent
economy and society seemed to compel a larger concentration of
authority in the presidency.”
Rhetorical Presidency (Jeffrey Tulis)
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Plato
Machiavelli
Tulis believes that beginning with Theodore Roosevelt, the use of
rhetoric has formed a crucial tool for modern presidents.
Post-Modern Presidency (Richard Rose)
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The modern presidency was created by TR and FDR as an “active”
president. However, the post-modern president is an active president
who can no longer dominate the international system. Other nations
can now affect the White House.
TR and the Modern Presidency
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Right Place and Right Time
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Period of Congressional Supremacy ending.
The worldwide rise of New Imperialism led to a need for a powerful
leader, capable of responding to a increasingly perilous world.
Presidential pre-occupation with foreign affairs (George W. Bush),
during times of international instability.
Domestically, TR expanded the Federal Branch and created
legislation to organize the new institution.
“Bully pulpit”- used the presidency to achieve his agenda and
ensured that he expanded the presidency so that it was capable for
other presidents to do the same.
Demanded that the president be responsible to the people, in the
tradition of Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln.
FDR and the Modern Presidency
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Founder of the Modern American Presidency
Wilsonian Model of party leader, and united the Democratic Party.
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Introduced Pluralism in government.
Demanding times called for pragmatism and not rigidity.
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Leadership became facilitative rather than directive.
Press Conference and “Fireside chats”
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New coalition of people who had been traditionally ignored.
People felt as if they knew him personally.
Followed TR as “transcendent national leader”
Increased the Executive branch more than any other president
President should use the Federal government to directly help
people’s lives.
President as the wartime leader.
Roosevelt Presidents Created An
American Superpower
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During TR’s presidency, a young industrial American nation flexed its
muscles around the world.
TR and FDR contrasted many of the traditional roles of the modern
president, but shared one theme in common:
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Expansive use of office and liberal use of power
U.S. emerges from WWII as the greatest superpower in the world.
Both national leaders sought to create a balance of power among
the leading nations of the world.
Both presidents created the modern idea that the United States had
to play a pivotal role in world affairs.
“Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency strengthened the office and the
nation, and it was this that enabled Franklin D. Roosevelt to convert
an economic and industrial superpower into a political and military
one also.”-Al
Conclusion
“Fortune favors the bold.”- Virgil
“It is not the critic who counts . . .the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the
arena . . .who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who,
at the worst, if he fails, atleast he fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never
be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”- Theodore
Roosevelt
“. . .the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”- Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
TR and FDR were men who did not fear change, and a leader who expanded the political
power of the presidency, and the international bargaining power of the United States.
They did so operating within many similar themes, but contrasted their use of the
traditional roles of the president. Though certain of their methods and roles may be
different, their goals were similar:
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Achieve personal political power
Expand the role of the Presidency and Federal Government
Create an International superpower.
THE END