- FDR's pre-WWII presidency. The New Deal renews America. FDR's unprecedented popularity, the conservative opposition and Huey Long's populism. FDR warns isolationists of Hitler. Eleanor's platonic friendship with Lorena Hickok.
- By the time Franklin was inaugurated in March 1933, 5000 banks had failed and 9 million bank accounts were wiped out. He declared a 3 day bank holiday and went on the radio urging people to show faith in the system by depositing funds when they re-opened. It worked. His cabinet included the first woman, Frances Perkins as Secretary of Labor. The first 100 days saw 15 major bills passed including deposit insurance, home ownership loans and major public works projects. The National Recovery Administration was his most ambitious program, setting prices and wages in 541 industries. Eleanor was an active first Lady - holding her own weekly press conferences, writing a syndicated newspaper column and also had her own weekly radio show. Eleanor's close friend, Lorena Hickok went to work for Harry Hopkins, head of Federal Emergency Relief Administration, as his chief investigator. Eleanor's was active at this time, particularly with the Arthurdale project, an ideal community that included a progressive high school. She attended the graduation there every year. The biggest threat to FDR's reelection in 1936 was in the south and primarily from Huey Long. After the Supreme Court ruled that the NRA was unconstitutional, FDR proposed new taxes, an improved Federal Reserve and two pieces of momentous legislation - creation of the National Labor Relations Board, guaranteeing the rights of union to organize and bargain collectively and the Social Security Act which would pay retirement benefits to all Americans at age 65. He was reelected in a landslide winning 46 of 48 States and just over 60% of the popular vote. To deal with the Supreme Court, he tried to pack it with additional nominees, something of a political error and unpopular. Thinking they had won the battle against the depression, they cut back on expenditures leading to what was called the Roosevelt recession of 1937. They reversed course after 9 months. Meanwhile, the situation in Europe continued to deteriorate with Germany invading Poland. Americans however were dead set against involvement in another European war.—garykmcd
It looks like we don't have any synopsis for this title yet. Be the first to contribute.
Learn moreContribute to this page
Suggest an edit or add missing content