President Roosevelt example essay topic

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, (1882-1945), 32nd president of the United States. Roosevelt became president in March 1933 at the depth of the Great Depression. He was reelected for three more terms, and died in office in April 1945. He was a fascinating idealist whose confidence helped carry on the American people during the strains of economic crisis and world war even though he had an attack of poliomyelitis, which paralyzed his legs in 1921.

He was one of America's most touchy leaders. Though Roosevelt labored hard to end the Depression, he had not very much success. It was not until 1939 and 1940 that success returned. Roosevelt also showed limits in his handling of foreign policy. In the 1930's he did not warn right away the danger of tyranny, and during the war he relied greatly on his charm and personality in the conduct of peacekeeping. Roosevelt's reputation is very high.

In acting upon the Great Depression he did a lot to develop a good state in the United States and to make the federal government and means of social and economic reform. As president, Roosevelt passed as many bills, lobbing for as much congressional support as he could get to aid him in his attempts to help the unemployed, starving and poor people that society had forgotten. Never in the history of the United States had there ever been such a terrible, long-lasting, economic depression then the one that began just before President Roosevelt ran for his first presidential election. Thirteen million people were out of work, about one quarter of the working age population and cities - as well as states - were losing money fast, as there were no taxes to be collected. Schools were closed because the states did not have enough money to fund them and people were homeless and starving; living - and dying - on the very streets where just a few years ago America experienced its first economic boom. This sets the stage for the most triumphant presidency this country has ever seen.

President Roosevelt's heritage traces all the way back to our great nation's colonial times. Being of Dutch and English ancestry, his ancestor, Klaes Martens en had been a Dutch immigrant, settling in New York in 1645. Almost two hundred years later, on January 30, 1882, Franklin was born. Both of his parents had come from upper-class families. His father, James Roosevelt was the vice president of the Delaware and Hudson Railway Company. Franklin lived a life almost all would envy, growing up about 100 miles north of New York City on his parents' Hyde Estate.

The estate, totaling about 100 acres in size overlooked the Hudson River and had a amazing view of the Catskill Mountains. He led a good life, going to high private schools. He attended Harvard and later Colombia Law School. Franklin Roosevelt was elected for his first term in 1933 During the first one hundred days Roosevelt spent in office he passed many bills, setting up agencies like the WPA, Works Progress Administration. Roosevelt believed in giving aid to the sick, poor and helpless, by providing hospital care for those who needed it and by setting up food distribution centers and homeless shelters.

He also believed in insurance for the elderly and unemployed, he set up Social Security to pay out money to those who could no longer work or who just could not find work. He set up mortgage relief actions for farmers and homeowners. He set up public works programs to create jobs for the millions of unemployed able workers, building roads and other projects. He regulated banks, after the closing of all banks in Michigan for a day people panicked and began to withdraw their money. Roosevelt closed all banks in the United States and set up a board to review the banks. Finally, Roosevelt believed in the protection of the earth we live on, so he allotted land for national parks and set up nature reserves.

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's bills did not exclude the poor, sick or elderly. Roosevelt set up the Social Security Act to provide for these old and sick. His beliefs came from his parents and wife. Both of his parents believed that one with more money should give to one with less money. Roosevelt understood this well. Roosevelt also learned a lot from his wife, Eleanor, who was a great humanitarian.

During her days in the White House, Eleanor spent much time devising ways to help her husband propose new bills and give more, she was probably the biggest influence on Franklin Roosevelt's life. President Roosevelt has often been called the most beneficial president that America has had in the twentieth century. Roosevelt truly dedicated his life to humanitarian efforts worldwide, never stopping to take a break until his unfortunate early death.