Inaugural Address of Franklin Roosevelt

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In 1933, while the nation was in the throes of the Great Depression, President Franklin D. Roosevelt gave his first inaugural address to the nation, promising them a period of openness, honesty, and a straightforward approach to addressing the various economic and social problems that existed. He did not pretend that the perils facing the nation were trivial; he was fully aware of the seriousness of the situation he faced as President. "Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment," he said. In the wake of these challenges, though, he encouraged action. Americans needed to band together, politician, businessman, and citizen alike, if our society could thrive again. It was this sense of togetherness that Roosevelt encouraged during his speech, rallying the nation to support his new plans, collectively known as the New Deal.

The Inaugural Address

Throughout the course of his somewhat lengthy speech, Roosevelt addressed not only the nation's economic problems, but also our responsibility as a global superpower to assisting other nations in need. This, he said, was part of our mandate in the modern era, but needed to be preceded by efforts to stabilize our own economic system first. After ensuring the longevity and success of our own people, we could then offer our assistance to other nations. We were to be a "good neighbor" to other nations, recognizing their needs and helping when we were physically capable of doing so. Roosevelt does not downplay the complexity of the task that lies before him; he knows it will take considerable time to emerge from the financial quagmire the nation is currently stranded in. With the trust of the American people and the cooperative efforts of all individuals, though, this was a clear possibility, and history would come to demonstrate Roosevelt's successes.

Roosevelt's First 100 Days

Every United States president subsequent to Franklin Delano Roosevelt has had the first three months or so of his first administration scrutinized by the press and compared to the celebrated "first hundred days" of the first of Franklin Roosevelt's four administrations. That period has become legendary in American history as an exemplar of what the spirit of presidential activism can accomplish in a short amount of time.Your research paper should examine the following:

1. The beginnings of that celebrated "the first 100 days"
2. FDR's intention upon assuming office to present the country with a vision of immediate and effective executive action.
3. Examine his first week in office, beginning with his inaugural address, in order to show what he actually did, how he spent his time, in pursuit of his desire to communicate and realize that vision.