U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, in an attempt to check inflation, freezes wages and prices, prohibits workers from changing jobs unless the war effort would be aided thereby, and bars rate increases by common carriers and public utilities.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, often affectionately known by his initials, FDR (pronounced ROH-zə-velt), was a towering figure in American and world history. Born on January 30, 1882, into the prominent Roosevelt family in Hyde Park, New York, he would eventually serve as the 32nd President of the United States from 1933 until his death on April 12, 1945. A member of the Democratic Party, his unparalleled achievement of winning a record four presidential elections speaks volumes about his connection with the American people and his pivotal role in navigating the nation through two of its greatest crises: the Great Depression and World War II. His leadership fundamentally reshaped the federal government's role in society, particularly through his landmark New Deal domestic agenda, defining modern American liberalism and setting the stage for the United States' emergence as a global superpower.

Early Life, Career, and Overcoming Adversity

FDR's early life was marked by privilege and a strong family legacy, including a distant kinship with Theodore Roosevelt, another formidable American president. After attending Groton School and Harvard College, he pursued law at Columbia Law School, though he left upon passing the bar to commence his legal career in New York City. In 1905, he married his fifth cousin once removed, Eleanor Roosevelt, a remarkable woman who would become a formidable public figure and advocate in her own right. Together, they had six children, five of whom survived to adulthood. Roosevelt's political career began with his election to the New York State Senate in 1910. He subsequently served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy during World War I under President Woodrow Wilson, gaining valuable experience in federal governance. In 1920, he ran as James M. Cox's vice-presidential running mate on the Democratic ticket, but they were defeated by Republican Warren G. Harding. A pivotal and profoundly challenging moment in his life occurred in 1921 when he was struck by a paralytic illness, widely believed at the time to be polio, which left his legs permanently paralyzed. This immense personal setback, however, did not extinguish his political ambition. Instead, it fueled his resilience; he founded a polio rehabilitation center in Warm Springs, Georgia, where he sought to recover and assist others. Despite his inability to walk unaided, Roosevelt staged a remarkable political comeback, winning election as governor of New York in 1928. Serving from 1929 to 1933, his tenure was focused on implementing innovative programs to combat the escalating economic crisis gripping the state, effectively preparing him for the national stage and the greater challenges ahead.

The New Deal Era: Responding to a National Crisis

The year 1932 saw Franklin D. Roosevelt ascend to the presidency, decisively defeating the Republican incumbent Herbert Hoover in one of the most significant landslide victories in American history. He inherited a nation in the throes of the Great Depression, an economic catastrophe marked by widespread unemployment, poverty, and despair. Roosevelt wasted no time, launching an unprecedented wave of federal legislation during his "First 100 Days" in office. He rallied the nation with his vision for "relief, recovery, and reform," an ambitious agenda collectively known as the New Deal. Through a series of executive orders and legislative acts, he rapidly began implementing policies designed to alleviate suffering. Key initiatives included the National Recovery Administration (NRA), which aimed to stimulate industrial recovery, and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), designed to support struggling farmers by stabilizing prices and reducing overproduction. Beyond immediate aid, Roosevelt's administration instituted sweeping regulatory reforms across finance, communications, and labor, fundamentally altering the relationship between government and the economy. Notably, he also tackled the divisive issue of Prohibition, which he believed fueled organized crime and deprived the government of much-needed tax revenue. After campaigning on its repeal, he signed the Beer Permit Act of 1933, paving the way for the 21st Amendment, which legally ended Prohibition. Revenue collected from alcohol sales was then directed towards public works, integrating it into the New Deal's broader economic strategy. Roosevelt mastered the art of public communication, frequently using radio to speak directly to the American people through his famous 30 "fireside chat" radio addresses during his presidency, fostering a sense of national unity and confidence during uncertain times. He also became the first American president to appear on television, foreshadowing the future of political engagement. The economy showed rapid improvement between 1933 and 1936, culminating in his overwhelming re-election victory in 1936.

Challenges and Further Reforms

Despite the widespread popularity of the New Deal, Roosevelt faced significant opposition, particularly from a conservative-leaning U.S. Supreme Court that frequently invalidated key New Deal initiatives. Following his 1936 re-election, he sought to address this judicial obstruction by proposing the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, colloquially known as the "court-packing plan." This controversial proposal aimed to expand the size of the Supreme Court, allowing him to appoint new justices who might be more sympathetic to his policies. However, the plan met strong bipartisan resistance, leading to the formation of the Conservative Coalition, which successfully blocked the bill and subsequently worked to prevent further New Deal legislation. This political standoff, combined with other factors, contributed to an economic downturn, leading to the recession of 1937–1938. Nevertheless, Roosevelt's first two terms also saw the establishment of numerous other foundational agencies and laws, including the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate financial markets and protect investors, the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) protecting workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to safeguard bank deposits and restore public trust in the financial system, the landmark Social Security Act providing a safety net for the elderly and unemployed, and the Fair Labor Standards Act, which established minimum wage, overtime pay, and child labor standards.

Leading the Nation Through World War II

As the 1930s drew to a close, a new and ominous threat emerged on the global stage: another World War. Roosevelt was reelected for an unprecedented third term in 1940, a decision largely driven by the impending international crisis and the public's desire for experienced leadership. While American public sentiment initially favored neutrality and non-intervention, Roosevelt skillfully navigated diplomatic and political waters. He offered substantial diplomatic and financial support to nations resisting aggression, including China, the United Kingdom, and eventually the Soviet Union, laying the groundwork for the Allied alliance even before direct U.S. involvement. The pivotal moment arrived on December 7, 1941, with the surprise Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, an event Roosevelt famously declared "a date which will live in infamy." This act irrevocably propelled the United States into the global conflict. Within days, Congress declared war on Japan, and Japan's allies, Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy, reciprocated by declaring war on the United States, officially drawing America into both the Pacific and European theaters. With immense national backing and the close assistance of his trusted aide Harry Hopkins, Roosevelt forged a powerful alliance, working intimately with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill, Soviet General Secretary Joseph Stalin, and Chinese Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek in leading the Allied Powers against the Axis Powers. He orchestrated the complete mobilization of the U.S. economy for the war effort, transforming the nation into an "arsenal of democracy." Adopting a "Europe First" strategy, he initiated the critical Lend-Lease program, supplying vital aid to the Allies, and prioritized the defeat of Nazi Germany over Imperial Japan. His administration oversaw monumental projects, including the construction of The Pentagon, the initiation of the top-secret Manhattan Project for the development of the world's first atomic bomb, and crucial collaborations with Allied leaders to establish the framework for the United Nations and other post-war international institutions designed to foster global peace and cooperation. Under his formidable wartime leadership, the United States unequivocally emerged as a preeminent superpower on the world stage.

Final Term and Enduring Legacy

In the midst of the ongoing war, Franklin D. Roosevelt secured an unprecedented fourth term in the 1944 presidential election, campaigning on a platform focused on post-war recovery and a vision for a new international order. However, the immense pressures of the presidency and the war had taken a severe toll on his physical health. Less than three months into his fourth term, on April 12, 1945, Roosevelt tragically died in office, just weeks before the end of the war in Europe. Vice President Harry S. Truman immediately assumed the presidency, inheriting the immense responsibility of bringing the war to a close and shaping the post-war world. Since his death, Roosevelt's legacy has been subject to ongoing debate and scholarly analysis. While he is widely celebrated for his transformative leadership during the Great Depression and World War II, certain decisions have drawn substantial criticism, most notably his executive order authorizing the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during the war, a decision now widely condemned as a grave violation of civil liberties. Nevertheless, despite these controversies, historians, political scientists, and scholars consistently rank Franklin Delano Roosevelt among the nation's three greatest presidents, often placing him alongside revered figures like George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, underscoring his profound and enduring impact on the United States and the world.

Frequently Asked Questions about Franklin D. Roosevelt

What were Franklin D. Roosevelt's key accomplishments?
FDR's presidency is primarily defined by his leadership in two major crises: orchestrating the New Deal to combat the Great Depression and guiding the United States through World War II to Allied victory. He also fundamentally reshaped the role of the federal government and laid the groundwork for the post-war international order.
What was the "New Deal"?
The New Deal was a comprehensive series of programs, public works projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted in the United States between 1933 and 1939. Its primary goals were "relief, recovery, and reform" – to alleviate the suffering caused by the Great Depression, restore economic stability, and prevent future crises through systemic changes.
Why was FDR elected President four times?
Franklin D. Roosevelt holds the unique distinction of being the only U.S. president to serve more than two terms. His unprecedented four electoral victories (1932, 1936, 1940, 1944) were a testament to his immense popularity and the public's trust in his leadership during the extraordinary challenges of the Great Depression and World War II. At the time, there were no constitutional term limits for the presidency, allowing him to seek re-election repeatedly.
What was the "court-packing plan"?
The "court-packing plan" was a controversial legislative proposal by FDR in 1937, officially known as the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill. It aimed to add new justices to the U.S. Supreme Court for every sitting justice over the age of 70 who did not retire. Roosevelt proposed this to counter the Supreme Court's conservative majority, which had been striking down key New Deal legislation. The plan ultimately failed due to strong bipartisan opposition.
What was FDR's approach to World War II before the U.S. entered?
Initially, the U.S. maintained a stance of neutrality and non-intervention. However, recognizing the growing threat of Axis powers, Roosevelt gradually shifted policy to provide "all aid short of war" to Allied nations. This included strong diplomatic support and crucial material assistance through programs like Lend-Lease, effectively preparing the U.S. for its eventual entry into the conflict.
Are there any significant criticisms of FDR's presidency?
Yes, while widely praised, FDR's presidency faced criticisms, notably for his attempt to expand the Supreme Court (the "court-packing plan") which was seen by some as an overreach of executive power. His most significant and enduring criticism, however, is for Executive Order 9066, which authorized the forced relocation and internment of Japanese Americans during World War II, a decision now widely condemned as a grave violation of civil liberties.