1. How did Roosevelt ‘revolutionise’ the ideology and the image of the presidency?
LOs:
1. To identify and explain how Roosevelt transformed the role of federal government
2. To identify and explain how Roosevelt transformed the image and expectations of the presidency
3. To evaluate the impact of his presidency on the increasing power of the President

2. What does Obama do right and what does Theresa May do wrong?

3. First impressions count!
The paralytic illness of Franklin D. Roosevelt began in 1921 when the future President of the United States was 39 years old. His main symptoms were fever; symmetric, ascending paralysis; facial paralysis; bowel and bladder dysfunction; numbness and hyperesthesia; and a descending pattern of recovery. Roosevelt was left permanently paralyzed from the waist down. He was diagnosed with poliomyelitis at the time, but his symptoms are more consistent with Guillain–Barré syndrome (GBS) – an autoimmune neuropathy which Roosevelt's doctors failed to consider as a diagnostic possibility. In 1926, his belief in the benefits of hydrotherapy led him to found a rehabilitation center at Warm Springs, Georgia. He avoided being seen using his wheelchair in public, but his disability was well known and became a major part of his image. In 1938, he founded the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis, leading to the development of polio vaccines.

4. Who was F.D.R?
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, who took office in early 1933, would become the only president in American history to be elected to four consecutive terms.
He would lead his nation through two of the greatest crises in its history, the Great Depression of the 1930s and World War II ( ), and would exponentially expand the role of the federal government through his New Deal reform programme and its legacy.

5. “fireside chats”
From March 1933 to June 1944, Roosevelt addressed the American people in some 30 speeches broadcast via radio, speaking on a variety of topics from banking to unemployment to fighting fascism in Europe.
Millions of people found comfort and renewed confidence in these speeches.
Roosevelt was not actually sitting beside a fireplace when he delivered the speeches, but behind a microphone-covered desk in the White House. Reporter Harry Butcher of CBS coined the term “fireside chat” in a press release before one of Roosevelt’s speeches on May 7, The name stuck, as it perfectly evoked the comforting intent behind Roosevelt’s words, as well as their informal, conversational tone.

6. “fireside chats”
Roosevelt took care to use the simplest possible language, concrete examples and analogies in the fireside chats, so as to be clearly understood by the largest number of Americans. He began many of the night-time chats with the greeting “My friends,” and referred to himself as “I” and the American people as “you” as if addressing his listeners directly and personally.
In many of the speeches, Roosevelt invoked memories of the Founding Fathers or other inspirational figures from America’s past. “The Star Spangled Banner” was played after each chat ended, underlining that patriotic message.
Finally, the president appealed to God or Providence at the end of almost every speech, urging the American people to face the difficult tasks ahead with patience, understanding and faith.
Through depression and war, the reassuring nature of the fireside chats boosted the public’s confidence (and Roosevelt’s approval rates) and undoubtedly contributed to his unprecedented number of election wins.

7. Challenge: Why was Hoover less electable by comparison?
Roosevelt’s campaign was a potent mix of grand promises, attacks on Republicans’ record (especially Hoover’s inaction) and presenting himself well. He spent November 1932 to March 1933 harshly criticising everything Hoover did whilst still in office.
Task one: Read the information and define the following terms:
Democrat
Republican
The three Rs
New Deal
Fireside Chats
Great Depression
Task two: Give a rating out of 10 (10 is highest) for Roosevelt’s ‘electability’ in the following:
Personal background
Political party
Political career
Plans for the Great Depression
Strength of his campaign
Challenge: Why was Hoover less electable by comparison?