Updated May 30, 2023
About Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, famous by his initials FDR, was a senior American politician and national leader. He was United States’ 32nd President, serving from 1933 to 1945. Franklin directed the federal government during the Great Depression and World War II. He implemented the New Deal—a range of programs designed to stimulate the economy and relieve those in need. He created the Social Security system and established the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Early life
- He was born in 1882 on January 30. His father was a prominent businessman and landowner, and his mother was a member of one of the most prestigious families in the area. From his father’s first marriage, he had an older half-brother, Rosy, and a younger brother, Elliott.
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt studied at home with tutors till he was 14. He then went to Gorton School in Massachusetts. After graduation, he went to Harvard University, where he majored in history and minored in political science. He actively participated in Harvard, winning the class president election and becoming an Alpha Delta Phi fraternity member.
- 1903 FDR graduated from Harvard and went to Columbia Law School the following year. He passed the bar in 1907 and began working as a lawyer in New York City. He tied the knot with his distant cousin, Eleanor Roosevelt, in March 1905. The couple had six children together.
- In the New York State Senate elections in 1910, the voters selected FDR. He was re-elected in 1912 and served until 1913. He then ran for the U.S. Senate but lost. After leaving the Senate, he became Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1913 and held that post until 1919.
- In 1921, Franklin Delano Roosevelt contracted polio which paralyzed him from the waist down. Despite the setback, he pursued politics, ran for governor of New York in 1928, and won. The people elected him as President of the United States in 1932 and held office until he died in 1945.
Political Career
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was a senior American politician and national leader. He was United States’ 32nd President, serving from 1933 to 1945.
- In 1910, the officials elected FDR to the New York State Senate, marking the beginning of his political career. He was re-elected in 1912 and was crucial in passing progressive legislation as a major force. In 1913, he assumed the position of Assistant Secretary of the Navy, which he held until 1919.
- In 1920, FDR was the Democratic nominee for Vice President, but he suffered a massive defeat. He ran for governor of New York in 1928 and won, becoming the first Democratic governor of the state in twenty-two years. He got elected again in 1930.
- The people elected him as President of the United States in 1932 and 1936, 1940, and 1944. As President, he implemented the New Deal, a series of economic reforms that sought to alleviate poverty and stimulate economic growth in the wake of the Great Depression. He also led the United States through World War II, playing a significant role in the Allied victory.
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt died in 1945, shortly after taking the oath of office for his fourth term.
Legacy
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt served as the 32nd President of the United States and is widely regarded as one of the greatest presidents in American history. He was in office from 1933 to 1945, serving four consecutive terms. During his presidency, Roosevelt enacted sweeping economic and social reforms and led the country through the Great Depression and World War II.
- The legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of progress and reform. The world remembers him leading the United States through the Great Depression, creating the New Deal, and governance during World War II. He established the Social Security program, which has provided economic stability for generations of Americans. He also championed civil and labor rights, creating the National Labor Relations Act and the Fair Labor Standards Act.
- Roosevelt created the United Nations and helped establish the Bretton Woods Agreement, which stabilized the world economy after World War II. He also laid the groundwork for the Marshall Plan, which provided economic aid to Europe in the aftermath of the war.
- The legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt lives on today in the form of the programs and policies he established. The Social Security program he created is still in effect today. The Fair Labor Standards Act and the National Labor Relations Act are still the law of the land. The United Nations and the Bretton Woods Agreement are still in place. And the Marshall Plan continues to provide economic aid to developing countries. The legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of progress, reform, and lasting impact.
Conclusion
We consider Franklin Delano Roosevelt one of American history’s most powerful and important presidents. He led the nation through two of the most tumultuous times in its history- the Great Depression and World War II. A visionary leader implemented programs to help the American people regain their feet, leading the country to victory in the war. His legacy lives on today as we remember him for his courage, determination, and compassion.
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