26.1 The Rise of Franklin Roosevelt

Timeline of Key Events

  • 1932 – Franklin Roosevelt elected president in a landslide; Hoover’s popularity plummets.

  • 1933 – First New Deal legislation passes; FDR inaugurated on March 4.

  • 1934 – Southern Tenant Farmers Union organizes; Dust Bowl refugees highlighted.

  • 1935 – Supreme Court strikes down key New Deal elements; Second New Deal begins.

  • 1936 – FDR re-elected in a landslide.

  • 1938 – U.S. experiences a recession as government spending is curtailed; Fair Labor Standards Act passes.

1932 Election: Roosevelt vs. Hoover

  • Hoover’s popularity low due to ineffective Great Depression response.

  • FDR: wealthy, politically experienced (NY legislature, VP nomination, NY governor), but relatable due to polio.

  • Campaign strategy: optimism, change, energy; gave few policy details but promised a “New Deal.”

  • Historic first: appeared in-person at national convention, traveled in risky early-flight conditions.

  • Election results:

    • Popular vote: 23M (FDR) vs. 15M (Hoover)

    • States carried: all but six

    • New Democratic coalition: African Americans, ethnic minorities, organized labor

The Interregnum (Nov 1932 – Mar 1933)

  • 4-month period between election and inauguration.

  • Hoover: passive, bitter, unable to pass legislation.

  • FDR: remained independent, refused to commit to Hoover’s policies.

  • Assassination attempt (Feb 15, 1933): Giuseppe Zangara fired six shots; 5 wounded, including Mayor Tony Cermak (died later). FDR unharmed.

  • Public perception: FDR calm under threat → strong, capable leadership.

Inauguration Day (March 4, 1933)

  • Rain stops, sun shines as FDR takes oath → symbolic hope.

  • Famous line: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

  • Public mood: captured by “Happy Days Are Here Again.”

  • No inaugural parties → FDR immediately begins work.

Early Plans & the Brains Trust

  • Goals: relief, recovery, reform, help farmers, restore confidence in banks.

  • Brains Trust advisors:

    • Rexford Tugwell – agriculture, federal support for wages/prices.

    • Raymond Moley – innovative tax policies, speechwriter (fear itself metaphor).

    • Adolph Berle – cautious mediator, balanced government intervention.

  • Approach: pragmatic, results-focused; contrasted Hoover’s rigid ideology.

  • Early New Deal programs:

    • Social Security

    • Unemployment insurance

    • Public works projects

    • Bank stabilization

Key Themes

  • Roosevelt blended optimism, empathy, and pragmatism.

  • Maintained public confidence despite polio and national crisis.

  • Crafted broad, flexible solutions to the Depression with a strong advisory team.

  • Built a coalition that reshaped American politics for decades.