Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt

Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt
President	Franklin D. Roosevelt
Term start	March 4, 1933
Term end	April 12, 1945
Party	Democratic
Election	1932, 1936, 1940, 1944
Cabinet	See list
Seat	White House

Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt began on March 4, 1933, when he was inaugurated as the 32nd President of the United States, and ended with his death on April 12, 1945. He was elected four times, serving longer than any other president, and his tenure spanned the Great Depression and most of World War II. His administration implemented the sweeping New Deal domestic agenda and led the Allies to victory in the global conflict, fundamentally reshaping the role of the Federal government of the United States.

1932 election and first term (1933–1937)

Roosevelt defeated incumbent Herbert Hoover in the 1932 United States presidential election by promising a "New Deal" for the American people. Upon taking office, he immediately confronted the banking crisis, declaring a national "bank holiday" and pushing the Emergency Banking Act through Congress. His first hundred days saw an unprecedented flurry of legislation, including the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the National Recovery Administration. Key early advisors like Louis Brandeis, Felix Frankfurter, and his "Brain Trust" helped shape policy. The Social Security Act and the Works Progress Administration were later cornerstones of this term's relief efforts.

1936 election and second term (1937–1941)

Roosevelt won a landslide victory in the 1936 United States presidential election against Alf Landon of Kansas, carrying every state except Maine and Vermont. His second term began with his unsuccessful attempt to expand the Supreme Court of the United States through the "Court-packing plan," which faced fierce opposition from figures like Burton K. Wheeler. The economy dipped into the "Roosevelt Recession" of 1937–38. Major legislation included the Fair Labor Standards Act, which established the federal minimum wage. Internationally, he gave the "Quarantine Speech" in 1937 and watched as Nazi Germany invaded Poland in 1939.

1940 election and third term (1941–1945)

Breaking the precedent set by George Washington, Roosevelt was elected to a third term in the 1940 United States presidential election, defeating Wendell Willkie. This term was dominated by World War II. He promoted the Lend-Lease program to aid the United Kingdom and later the Soviet Union, and signed the Atlantic Charter with Winston Churchill. The attack on Pearl Harbor by Japan on December 7, 1941, brought the United States fully into the war. He worked closely with military leaders like George C. Marshall and Ernest King, and his administration oversaw the Manhattan Project and the internment of Japanese Americans under Executive Order 9066.

1944 election and fourth term (1945)

Despite declining health, Roosevelt was re-elected to a fourth term in the 1944 United States presidential election, defeating Thomas E. Dewey. He replaced Vice President Henry A. Wallace with Harry S. Truman on the ticket. In early 1945, he attended the Yalta Conference with Churchill and Joseph Stalin to plan for the postwar world. He died of a cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945, at the Little White House in Warm Springs, Georgia, shortly after beginning this term, and was succeeded by Truman.

Domestic policy and the New Deal

Roosevelt's domestic policy was defined by the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms aimed at providing "Relief, Recovery, and Reform." Key agencies included the Agricultural Adjustment Administration, the Civil Works Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission. The National Labor Relations Act revolutionized labor relations, while projects like the Grand Coulee Dam and the Triborough Bridge provided massive public works. His administration faced criticism from the left, like Huey Long's "Share Our Wealth" plan, and the right, including the American Liberty League. The Reorganization Act of 1939 created the Executive Office of the President.

Foreign policy and World War II

Initially focused on the "Good Neighbor policy" in Latin America, Roosevelt's foreign policy became dominated by the rise of Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini, and Hideki Tojo. Prior to Pearl Harbor, he sought to aid the Allies while navigating isolationism espoused by groups like the America First Committee. As a wartime leader, he participated in major conferences including the Casablanca Conference, the Tehran Conference, and Yalta Conference. He helped establish the framework for the United Nations and discussed postwar plans with allies, though his stance on issues like Poland and the future of Eastern Europe remained points of contention with Stalin.

Death and legacy

Roosevelt's death on April 12, 1945, was met with worldwide mourning. He was buried at his family home, Springwood Estate, in Hyde Park, New York. His legacy is immense, having transformed the presidency and the federal government's role in the economy and society. The New Deal coalition he built dominated American politics for decades. His leadership during World War II established the United States as a global superpower. Memorials include the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C., and his face is carved on Mount Rushmore.

Category:Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt Category:1930s in the United States Category:1940s in the United States