Franklin Delano Roosevelt :: essays research papers

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is one of our countrys best known and most beloved presidents. He is commonly remembered for taking a tired, beaten, nation and instilling consent in it. This positive view of Roosevelt is held by Burns, who paints the picture of a man whose goal was to alleviate our nations economic pains. But, is this view too myopic? Is Roosevelt deserving of much(prenominal) a godly reputation? These questions are posed by Conkin as he points out the discrimination that underlies some(prenominal) New Deal programs, and even suggests that many of Roosevelts actions were for purely political motives. During the weeks preceding Roosevelts inauguration the country was engaged in an economic crisis that was quickly spiraling downward. Banks failed, people panicked, and the nation looked to someone, anyone, for help. clean, sensing the countrys desperation, but realizing his insufficiency of power, and the feelings of resentment harbored towards him looked to Roosevelt. He asked the president-elect to join in economic planning, support policies, and most importantly to reassure the nation. While both authors note Roosevelts unwillingness to cooperate with Hoover they site different reasons for it. Burns talks of Roosevelts belief that the nation was not yet his domain, and that Hoover had the authority to handle the situation. In addition, Burns excuses Roosevelt by maintaining "Roosevelt did not foresee that the banking situation would reach a dramatic climax on Inauguration day. No man could have." (P. 148) This position is an exceedingly benevolent one when contrasted with Conkins who writes Roosevelt "did nothing, and impotently watched the economy collapse, letting it appear as one last result of Republican incompetence." This measure allowed Roosevelt to emerge as the "nations savior," and ally the Democratic party with this image.Furthermore, the both authors differ in their assessment of the effect of public opinio n on Roosevelts actions. Burns gives the impression of a president who looked to engage all in his coalition. He states, politically, his cabinet "catered to almost every major group." Burns also adds, "Roosevelt did not slavishly follow the wishes of group leaders." (P. 150). Roosevelt is portrayed as the paragon of a humanitarian, "he wanted to help the underdog, though not necessarily at the expense of the top dog. He believed that private, special interests must be subordinated to the general interest." (P. 155) Conkin attempts to poke holes in this idealistic portrayal of Roosevelt.