FDR’s Impact
Election of 1932
• Hoover (R) vs. Franklin D.
Roosevelt (D)
• Hoover had the impossible
task of defending failed
policies and strategies.
• Hoover extremely fearful
FDR would take
untraditional initiatives.
Election of 1932
Election of 1932
Candidates
Party
Electoral
Vote
Popular
Vote
FDR
Democratic
472
22,821,857
Herbert C.
Hoover
Republican
59
15,761,845
Norman M.
Thomas
Socialist
0
881,951
Communist
0
102,785
William Z. Foster
How has the role of
Government Changed?
1. Increase in Federal Spending
2. Increase in Involvement in Everyday
Lives
3. Increase in Regulation of Big Business
Government Philosophy
• Roosevelt's policies were very different
from three Republican Presidents before
him.
• He was determined to use the power of
Federal gov. to help.
• Prepared to use deficit spending to aid
recovery.
First One Hundred Days
• Roosevelt called an emergency session of
Congress
• Introduced a series of laws to end the
crisis and to revitalize the US economy.
– shut all banks for 4 days
– ended Prohibition
– created the Alphabet Agencies.
New Deal
• A group of Government programs to
attempt to get involved and help.
– First New Deal (1933)
– Second New Deal (1935)
• His New Deal was to use government
money to aid recovery.
Alphabet Agencies
• Series of government
agencies to help:
– the unemployed
– revive the economy
– create a fairer society.
• Lots of Federal
Spending
• Showed Government
was doing something
Fireside Chats
• Roosevelt spoke directly
to the people through
the radio
• 1st Chat, 8 days after
taking office
• He “talked out the
problems” over the radio
= increased confidence
• People felt included
Restored Confidence
• Some of his measures are rightly criticized, he
FORCED federal government to get involved
pushing relief, recovery and reform.
BUT…..
• Roosevelt gave energy, enthusiasm and hope to
the American people.
– Restored confidence in Banks, Stock Market,
Economy, Government
• He was re-elected in 1936, 1940 and 1944