Franklin D Roosevelt's Inaugural Address
Behind Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Inaugural Address
Before the 1933 election, the United States underwent a great economic depression, which was at the fault of president Hoover. But President Roosevelt strongly believed in anything being possible. In Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first Inaugural Address he used ethos, logos and parallel structure to convey his conflicting feelings about World War I and the Great Depression in order to show his concern in improving and progressing the economy and living conditions in the United States.
Background Information Before Franklin D. Roosevelt took office, the nation was under President Herbert Hoover. During this time many events occurred, both positive and negative. On a positive note, he believed …show more content…
in laissez-faire government and “Rugged Individualism.” During his term of presidency, the Hoover Dam was built and it was under construction from 1931 to 1396, and it provides hydroelectric power to millions of people today.
On the other hand, there was a lot of downfall during his term. Shantytowns of homeless and unemployed sprang up on the outskirts of cities, these cities were called “Hoovervilles.” President Hoover also said no to federal government aid to those who were suffering financially. He also believed that private organizations should provide emergency relief. Most importantly, the Great Depression put him on the list of “worst presidents of the United States.” During the Great Depression, about 25% of Americans were unemployed and in great debt. Another factor to Hoover’s notorious title was the Mexican Repatriation Act, in which more than 500,000 Mexican Americans were forcibly sent back to Mexico during the Great Depression.
Speaker/ Franklin Delano Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States, he was the only president to have served four terms. He was born on January 30th, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. Before his presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a lawyer. He was part of the Democratic Party throughout his political career. He got married to Eleanor Roosevelt in 1905, and had four children; James Roosevelt, Elliott Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., and John Aspinwall Roosevelt.
Rhetorical Analysis At the beginning of his speech, he formally addresses President Hoover and the nation to set a sense of acknowledgement. He then uses the words “I will address them with candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impels” to show that he will do his best to cater to the needs of the United States.
Ethos
Roosevelt starts off by saying he was going to speak truth about the past/current crisis that was going on. He speaks on having faith in the nation despite the current situation. He then says his most famous quote “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Which brings a sense of courage and assertion to the citizens of the nation. He then says “In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.” When he says this, he is referring to the nation and how the citizens have to unite in order to break through the Great Depression.
Roosevelt brings light on the fact that government has raised taxes knowing that the citizens’ ability to pay has fallen, and that the government is faced by serious curtailment of income, and are unable to trade goods with other nations, due to the fact that the economy in their own nation is very low. When he says “More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence. And an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.” He is pointing out the fact that the 25% unemployment rate is definitely a problem in the nation, and those who preceded him (Herbert Hoover) are avoiding the problem and trying to cover it up by raising import taxes when they cannot pay taxes within their own nation.
He further goes on to say that the fault of the matter is not on the nation itself but on the leaders of it. Only because there is no plague of any sort, but there is overuse and abuse of land and product.
As he continues on with his speech, he makes reference to his precedents being selfish by saying “…because the rulers of the exchange of mankind’ goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and have abdicated.” He then states “They only know the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish.” to acknowledge the fact that these presidents just take the place in office for the title.
As Roosevelt goes on in his speech he indicates that he wants to change the fate of the United States by saying “The measure of that restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.” And also feeling that the happiness of the nation is worth more than money, but it just so happens that money is the cause of the problem.
Overtime in the history of the United States there has been political fraud that has been overseen because of the power that those who are committing the crime have over any other authority figures. Because this is a problem, Roosevelt is not shying away from it, he says “and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing.”
Logos
Roosevelt saw that 25% unemployment was definitely a problem so he wants to provide jobs for those who are unemployed. He also says that to improve the agriculture, jobs need to be put in place for those to manage the agriculture.
Later he says “These, my friends, are the lines of attack. I shall presently urge upon a new Congress in special session detailed measures for their fulfillment, and I shall seek the immediate assistance of the 48 states.” To open the eyes of those in the nation to unite in order to fulfill the plan of progress for the nation. He also says that he wants to keep the trade rate high in order to keep the economy in good shape.
Parallel Structure
To conclude his speech, he asks for God’s guidance and blessings.
Significance and Effects
After this speech was made, President Roosevelt assured the nation and took the steps necessary to get out of the Great Depression.
The faith in the Unites States was restored by Roosevelt later broadcasting a segment on the radio called “Fireside Chats” in which he would go on to further assure the nation that the economy will restore and be successful again. He also let the nation know about the problems that were going on, like issues between the United States and European nations.
Works Cited
Elkins, Elizabeth. “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” [“Cobblestone”]. Cobblestone, vol. 35, no. 4, Apr.
2015, pp. 12-13. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh8 AN=101577583&site=hrc-live.
Ellis, Catherine. Key Figure of World War II. New York: Britannica Educational in Association with Rosen Educational Services, 2016. Ebook.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt.” Britannica School, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 13 Jun. 2011.
Lee, Bradford A. “Roosevelt, Franklin D.” [“Reader’s Companion to Military History”].
Reader’s Companion to Military History, Jan. 1966, pp. 404-405. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&khh&AN=12443761 & site=hrc-live.
School.eb.com/levels/high/article/United-States-Presidential-inauguration/628804
Before the 1933 election, the United States underwent a great economic depression, which was at the fault of president Hoover. But President Roosevelt strongly believed in anything being possible. In Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first Inaugural Address he used ethos, logos and parallel structure to convey his conflicting feelings about World War I and the Great Depression in order to show his concern in improving and progressing the economy and living conditions in the United States.
Background Information Before Franklin D. Roosevelt took office, the nation was under President Herbert Hoover. During this time many events occurred, both positive and negative. On a positive note, he believed …show more content…
in laissez-faire government and “Rugged Individualism.” During his term of presidency, the Hoover Dam was built and it was under construction from 1931 to 1396, and it provides hydroelectric power to millions of people today.
On the other hand, there was a lot of downfall during his term. Shantytowns of homeless and unemployed sprang up on the outskirts of cities, these cities were called “Hoovervilles.” President Hoover also said no to federal government aid to those who were suffering financially. He also believed that private organizations should provide emergency relief. Most importantly, the Great Depression put him on the list of “worst presidents of the United States.” During the Great Depression, about 25% of Americans were unemployed and in great debt. Another factor to Hoover’s notorious title was the Mexican Repatriation Act, in which more than 500,000 Mexican Americans were forcibly sent back to Mexico during the Great Depression.
Speaker/ Franklin Delano Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt was the 32nd president of the United States, he was the only president to have served four terms. He was born on January 30th, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. Before his presidency, Franklin D. Roosevelt was a lawyer. He was part of the Democratic Party throughout his political career. He got married to Eleanor Roosevelt in 1905, and had four children; James Roosevelt, Elliott Roosevelt, Franklin D. Roosevelt Jr., and John Aspinwall Roosevelt.
Rhetorical Analysis At the beginning of his speech, he formally addresses President Hoover and the nation to set a sense of acknowledgement. He then uses the words “I will address them with candor and a decision which the present situation of our people impels” to show that he will do his best to cater to the needs of the United States.
Ethos
Roosevelt starts off by saying he was going to speak truth about the past/current crisis that was going on. He speaks on having faith in the nation despite the current situation. He then says his most famous quote “the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” Which brings a sense of courage and assertion to the citizens of the nation. He then says “In every dark hour of our national life, a leadership of frankness and of vigor has met with that understanding and support of the people themselves which is essential to victory. And I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days.” When he says this, he is referring to the nation and how the citizens have to unite in order to break through the Great Depression.
Roosevelt brings light on the fact that government has raised taxes knowing that the citizens’ ability to pay has fallen, and that the government is faced by serious curtailment of income, and are unable to trade goods with other nations, due to the fact that the economy in their own nation is very low. When he says “More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence. And an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.” He is pointing out the fact that the 25% unemployment rate is definitely a problem in the nation, and those who preceded him (Herbert Hoover) are avoiding the problem and trying to cover it up by raising import taxes when they cannot pay taxes within their own nation.
He further goes on to say that the fault of the matter is not on the nation itself but on the leaders of it. Only because there is no plague of any sort, but there is overuse and abuse of land and product.
As he continues on with his speech, he makes reference to his precedents being selfish by saying “…because the rulers of the exchange of mankind’ goods have failed, through their own stubbornness and their own incompetence, have admitted their failure, and have abdicated.” He then states “They only know the rules of a generation of self-seekers. They have no vision, and when there is no vision the people perish.” to acknowledge the fact that these presidents just take the place in office for the title.
As Roosevelt goes on in his speech he indicates that he wants to change the fate of the United States by saying “The measure of that restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit.” And also feeling that the happiness of the nation is worth more than money, but it just so happens that money is the cause of the problem.
Overtime in the history of the United States there has been political fraud that has been overseen because of the power that those who are committing the crime have over any other authority figures. Because this is a problem, Roosevelt is not shying away from it, he says “and there must be an end to a conduct in banking and in business which too often has given to a sacred trust the likeness of callous and selfish wrongdoing.”
Logos
Roosevelt saw that 25% unemployment was definitely a problem so he wants to provide jobs for those who are unemployed. He also says that to improve the agriculture, jobs need to be put in place for those to manage the agriculture.
Later he says “These, my friends, are the lines of attack. I shall presently urge upon a new Congress in special session detailed measures for their fulfillment, and I shall seek the immediate assistance of the 48 states.” To open the eyes of those in the nation to unite in order to fulfill the plan of progress for the nation. He also says that he wants to keep the trade rate high in order to keep the economy in good shape.
Parallel Structure
To conclude his speech, he asks for God’s guidance and blessings.
Significance and Effects
After this speech was made, President Roosevelt assured the nation and took the steps necessary to get out of the Great Depression.
The faith in the Unites States was restored by Roosevelt later broadcasting a segment on the radio called “Fireside Chats” in which he would go on to further assure the nation that the economy will restore and be successful again. He also let the nation know about the problems that were going on, like issues between the United States and European nations.
Works Cited
Elkins, Elizabeth. “Franklin D. Roosevelt.” [“Cobblestone”]. Cobblestone, vol. 35, no. 4, Apr.
2015, pp. 12-13. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=khh8 AN=101577583&site=hrc-live.
Ellis, Catherine. Key Figure of World War II. New York: Britannica Educational in Association with Rosen Educational Services, 2016. Ebook.
“Franklin D. Roosevelt.” Britannica School, Encyclopaedia Britannica, 13 Jun. 2011.
Lee, Bradford A. “Roosevelt, Franklin D.” [“Reader’s Companion to Military History”].
Reader’s Companion to Military History, Jan. 1966, pp. 404-405. EBSCOhost, search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx? direct=true&khh&AN=12443761 & site=hrc-live.
School.eb.com/levels/high/article/United-States-Presidential-inauguration/628804