Presidential Profile: Franklin D. Roosevelt

Roosevelt is Elected The election of 1932 saw President Hoover unseated by Franklin Roosevelt. Hoover was widely blamed for the Depression. Roosevelt promised “A New Deal” – Meant to remind people of “The Square Deal” advocated by Teddy Roosevelt.

Roosevelt is Elected Electoral Map

Roosevelt and Hoover on Inauguration Day

The New Deal Roosevelt campaigned on sweeping new policies that would lift Americans out of the Depression. His first inaugural address set a tone of optimism.inaugural address

The First 100 days Roosevelt hits the ground running. With majorities in the House and Senate, Roosevelt passes a series of major laws in the first 100 days that he was in office. The Congress passed every plan that Roosevelt sent to them. Set a precedent by which all future Presidents would be judged.

The New Deal = New Powers The programs enacted by Roosevelt brought Executive Branch power to new heights. Continues to shape America today. Goal was to reassure people and stabilize the economy.

Court-Packing Scandal The Supreme Court was more conservative than Roosevelt Declared two New Deal programs unconstitutional Roosevelt wanted to make sure that the court would not challenge his ideas. In 1933 he proposed adding 6 new justices to the Court to tip the balance in his favor.

Franklin Roosevelt: The Man Born in 1882 to an extremely wealthy New York family Was a distant relation of President Theodore Roosevelt Served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy and eventually Governor of New York.

Roosevelt and Polio In 1921, Roosevelt, at 39 years old, contracted polio. He lost and never regained the use of his legs. Relied on assistance whenever he needed to stand. A closely guarded secret by reporters in Washington