Franklin Delano Roosevelt

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Categories: Presidents of the United States | New York Democrats

Franklin Delano Roosevelt
President

Party	Democratic
March 4, 1933 — April 12, 1945
Preceded by	Herbert Hoover
Succeeded by	Harry S. Truman
Birthdate	January 30, 1882

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (January 30, 1882–April 12, 1945) was the thirty-second President of the United States. Served from 1933 to 1945. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, or FDR as he is commonly referred to, is the only American president to have been elected to more than two terms of office (four, overall). He was succeeded upon his death on April 12, 1945, by Harry Truman.

FDR was the greatest President in American history. He served the country through its two greatest perils--the Great Depression and the Second World War--and made decisions that caused it to emerge stronger from both. In response to the Great Depression he launched the New Deal, an attempt to both mitigate the effects of and ultimately end modern history's greatest economic slump. The New Deal provided both a long-term plan for America's economy and government programs established crucial institutions for meeting the economic and social needs of all Americans.

Against the entrenched isolationism of America First Republicanism Roosevelt also prepared the United States miltiarily to face the German, Italian and Japanese fascist threats in World War II and led the country its most difficult foreign policy crises. He even managed to use the war to promote social justice and political freedoms at home. In an effort to win the peace as well as the war, Roosevelt co-founded the United Nations.

FDR's significance in American history and politics is profound. He promoted labor, civil rights, and economic security.

He is the seventh cousin of President Theodore Roosevelt.

Authorized in 1959 but not built until 1997, there is an FDR monument on the Mall in Washington, DC.

1 Political Experience
- 1.1 Trivia
2 Further reading
3 See Also

Political Experience

Served in the New York State Legislature for several years before Woodrow Wilson appointed him Assistant Secretary of the Navy in 1913. Served as Assistant Secretary (1913-1921). Nominated by the Democrats as the Vice-Presidential candidate in 1920 on the ticket headed by Ohio Gov. James M. Cox; ticket lost to Ohio Sen. Warren G. Harding and Mass. Gov. Calvin Coolidge. Diagnosed with polio in the early 1920's, which robbed him of the ability to walk freely, but with the help of his wife, overcame his disability, and got back into politics. Won the 1928 New York gubernatorial election, replacing the legendary Alfred E. Smith. Re-elected, 1930. Implemented social welfare programs in New York and became a favorite in the party to run in the 1932 Presidential Election. Defeated House Speaker John Nance Garner of Texas to win nomination. Party chose Garner as running mate. In Nov. 1932, Roosevelt crushed Republican incumbent Herbert Hoover and won the Presidency, carrying even traditional Republican strongholds like Kansas, Iowa and Idaho. Re-elected in a massive landslide in 1936, defeating Kansas Gov. Alfred M. Landon and receiving 523 electoral votes. Won an unprecedented third term in 1940, even after Garner challenged him for the nomination. With his new running mate, Henry A. Wallace he went on to defeat Republican Wendell L. Wilkie. In 1944 he campaigned with Harry Truman and won yet another term, defeating New York Gov. Thomas E. Dewey. Died three and a half months after his fourth inauguration, in April 1945.

Trivia

FDR's campaign song is not "Happy Days Are Here Again" (which was actually a hit tune a couple of years earlier), but "Row Row Row with Roosevelt".

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Contents

Political Experience

Trivia

Further reading

See Also