Notable Events During Franklin D Roosevelt Term
No one in the history of U.S Presidency had served more terms than Franklin Roosevelt, or simply FDR. He held office from 1933 to 1945. His presidency came during the toughest times in the American history when the Great Depression struck after the stock markets crashed leading to huge job losses and closure of banks. There was a food scarcity in the country. |
Perhaps the most notable event in the illustrious career of FDR was the launching of the New Deal Program that consists of various programs intended to restore peace, prosperity and sense of orderliness in the American economy. Though the success of the New Deal Program was much debatable, it still proved to have sown the seeds for the many welfare measures that were launched in the years that followed.
The New Deal Program restored overnight public faith on American banks. Following government inspections, more than 1,000 banks reopened within three days. Roosevelt took gold off the standard plunging the U.S dollar’s value in overseas markets and circulation of more money in the American economy. Roosevelt was instrumental in taking the Nation off the gold standard even while allowing budget deficits, and gave many concessions to labor. These measures attracted the wrath of businessmen and bankers. Finding himself in a fix, Roosevelt came out with a new program of reform that promised social security by imposing more taxes on the wealthy, and more governmental intervention on banks and public utilities, and a big relief package for the unemployed.
His re-election by a huge margin in 1936 urged Roosevelt to seek legislation in an effort to expand the Supreme Court that was largely responsible for nullifying some key New Deal measures. Though he lost the battle, Roosevelt was able to create a change in the constitution that empowered the Government to legally regulate the economy.
Through his ‘good neighbor’ policy Roosevelt transformed the Monroe Doctrine to enable mutual action against aggressions. The final version of the Neutrality act in 1939 meant that the U.S unofficially entered the World War II and this was evident in 1940 when the U.S sent all possible aid including military forces to Great Britain which came under siege following the fall of France.
During the ill-famed attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941 by Japan, Provoked by Germany and Italy, Roosevelt through the Congress declared war on the two countries on December 11, 1941.
On January 1, 1942, Roosevelt declared official participation in World War II. Roosevelt spearheaded the formation of United Nations, a podium representing countries where international conflicts could be resolved amicably. In 1942, FDR signed the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps which was later called Women’s Army Corps (WAC).
On June 19, 1942, FDR met Winston Churchill to plan to invade North Africa under the command of General Dwight D. Eisenhower. The Revenue Act of 1942 was passed to increase tax by $9 billion including the so-called Victory Tax applicable till the end of the war. After the fall of Mussolini of Italy the year 1943 saw the joint statement by the U.S, the then U.S.S.R, and Britain to signal the end of the war and create a world body to settle international disputes peacefully. The same year also witnessed the meeting between the ‘Big Three’ leaders in Roosevelt, Churchill and Stalin in Iran.
The year 1944 saw the birth of International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank that will be keys to international economic policy after the war.
On November 7, 1944, Roosevelt won an unprecedented fourth term as President of the U.S.A.
On April 12, 1945, even as the war was ending, Roosevelt, who was camping at Warm Springs, Georgia, died of a cerebral hemorrhage.
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