Why Did Fdr Define American Foreign Policy

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) was elected president of the United States of America in 1933 and was the first and last president to serve more than three terms. FDR unfortunately died in office in the year 1945. When he first took office, America was suffering the turmoil of the Great Depression. He managed to bring relief to the American people through his determination and skilful political planning. During FDR’s second, third and fourth term, the world entered World War Two (WWII) and he not only protected the American people, but helped win the war for the Allies. FDR is known as one of the most significant transformational figures of his time and did the most to define American foreign policy in the 20th century. Additionally, he played a significant role in building America into the Superpower that it is today.
At the beginning of his presidency FDR opted for a more isolationistic approach to foreign relations, as his main focus was set on bringing America out of the Great Depression.
He implemented the New Deal which was his first step in returning America to its former glory. FDR first placed his focus on fixing the banks. He accomplished this by implementing the Emergency Banking Bill in 1933, which helped banks set their accounts in order. FDR then moved his attention to the stock market, by convincing Congress to pass the Securities and Exchange Commission. This regulated the stock market and improved its safety for investors. FDR also sought to improve the lives of the working class. FDR accomplished this through the National Recovery Administration (NRA), which established laws of fair competition to regulate whole industries. Through all the above mentioned reforms and policies FDR set America on its way to a solid economic
standpoint.
The first major step in international relations came in 1933, when FDR’s policies shifted towards Latin America. FDR passed the Good Neighbor Policy which removed American forces from countries in Latin America. FDR did this because he wanted to show Latin America that he acknowledged their sovereignty. To further show his commitment self-government, during the Pan-American Conference of 1933, FDR approved of the idea that one country could not involve themselves in the internal or foreign affairs of another. This began America’s path to further international relations, yet FDR remained focused on domestic issues. Handling America’s economic crises was his top priority. As time progressed the economy stabilized, and tensions in Europe arose once again. WWII came to dominate most of FDR’s time as president, and so FDR reshaped his foreign policies towards international matters, bringing America out of Isolation. FDR designed and directed his policies in support of the Allies so as to bring the war to an end. When the Allies began falling to the Axis forces in Europe, FDR utilized the structures he had put into place and began aiding Britain and France. One of the first ways he supported the Allies was through the Neutrality Act of 1939. This Act was a defining factor in American support of the Allies in Europe as it enabled them to purchase goods and arms from America; however, the merchants had to pay in cash and carry their products back to Europe on their own ships (p.784). FDR’s foreign policies were not just aimed at aiding the allies, he readied America for military action. FDR increased the defence budget at the beginning of WWII, and began transforming America’s economy into a military economy. FDR also succeeded in convincing congress to pass the Lend-Lease Act which allowed him to sell, lend, lease or dispose of any war-related products (p.786). When Japan attacked Pearl Harbour in 1941, FDR opened a new chapter in American international activity and entered The US into WWII. Just before the Allie’s victory in 1945, FDR passed away, yet his legacy in ending a war that claimed the lives of over fifty million people would never be forgotten.
If not for FDR’s skilful handling of America after the Great Depression as well as his strong leadership during WWII, the nation would not have developed into the Super Power that it is today. Instead of following in Hoover’s ideals of looking for solutions externally, FDR adopted a more isolationistic stance, solving the Great Depression threw his inward focused policies. This stabilized America in time for WWII, enabling FDR bring America out of isolation and prove its worth on a global scale. FDR expanded America’s foreign policy platform, engaging in a number of international relations that helped end the war and thus gain America the global respect and gratitude of the superpowers of the time. In addition, FDR reaffirmed the sovereignty of many Latin American nations, easing national tensions and setting the precedent for future healthy international negotiations and relationships, further establishing America as an development as an international power. Franklin Delano Roosevelt led the United States of America to victory, not only in its domestic calamity but also in its foreign calamity. FDR was faced with the challenge of lifting America out of the Great Depression and elevating it beyond its heyday. The combination of his skilful political planning and his ability to take responsibility for his actions aided FDR in bringing about national recovery to the United States. In foreign affairs, FDR helped the Allied powers achieve victory in WWII. This success added to America’s relationship with foreign countries and helped America begin its journey as the Super Power it is today. In conclusion, FDR is the most significant president of his time who did the most to define American foreign policy in the 20th century, as well as play a significant role in building America into the Superpower that it is today.