Franklin D Roosevelt effect on the presidency

Fireside charts

* FDR would directly address the nation via radio
* First on in March 13 1933
* Use this medium to announce legislation - 80% of words used in 1000 most popular

Legislator in Chief

* Changed perception of President as being the person to change the law not just enforce it
* In his first 100 days he passed 15 pieces of legislation. In his 12 years he vetoed 635 laws

The New Deal

* Expanded the power of the Federal Government in regulating domestic affairs - especially the economy
* Created a new federal departments, appointing close advisors without confirmation
* Example: WPA in 1938 employed over 3 million Americans using Federal money

The executive office of the president

* Established through Reorganization act of 1939
* Made up of WHO and Bureau of the budget - President has power to change make up of it

The court packing Scandal

* Judicial procedure reform bill of 1937 created by FDR declared justices had to retire at 70
* Never enacted but scared court enough to begin ruling in FDR’S favour

WW2 effects on the presidency : increasing executive power

* FDR claimed infinite power during WW2 declaring unlimited national emergency on May 27 1941
* War power acts of 1941 and 1942 led to FDR having the power to reorganize the entire executive branch , censor all media, and take over any public land for govt use

WW2 effects on the presidency: Secrecy of war diplomacy

* The increase in diplomacy created a greater disconnect between president and nation
* The nuclear weapons programme, Tehran conference and Yalta conference were all largely done in secret - Truman didn’t know