Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, first and second terms

Franklin D. Roosevelt

32nd President of the United States

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The Presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt, first and second terms refers to the initial eight years of Franklin D. Roosevelt's tenure as President of the United States, spanning from March 4, 1933, to January 20, 1941. Roosevelt's leadership during this period was marked by significant legislative productivity and profound changes in the role of the federal government in response to the Great Depression.

Background

Franklin D. Roosevelt, a member of the Democratic Party, took office as the 32nd President of the United States after defeating incumbent Herbert Hoover in the 1932 presidential election. His victory was fueled by the public's demand for change following the economic failures attributed to the Republican policies during the Great Depression.

First Term (1933-1937)

Roosevelt's first term was dominated by his attempt to alleviate the economic hardships of the Great Depression through a series of programs and reforms known collectively as the New Deal. These initiatives aimed to provide immediate economic relief, recovery from the depression, and reforms to prevent future economic crises.

Key Legislation and Programs

• Emergency Banking Act
• Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
• Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)
• National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)
• Social Security Act

These programs significantly expanded the scope of federal government activities, aiming to stabilize financial institutions, provide jobs, support farm prices, and offer social security for the elderly.

Second Term (1937-1941)

Roosevelt was re-elected in 1936 by a landslide, continuing his efforts to expand the New Deal. His second term, however, faced challenges such as the Recession of 1937 and increasing opposition from both the Supreme Court and members of Congress.

Court-Packing Plan

In 1937, Roosevelt proposed the Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, widely known as the "court-packing plan," to add more justices to the Supreme Court. This move was largely seen as an attempt to obtain favorable rulings regarding New Deal legislation. The plan was met with substantial opposition and eventually failed, but the Court soon began to rule more favorably on New Deal measures.

Legislative Pushback

By the late 1930s, resistance to the New Deal had grown among conservatives in both parties, leading to difficulties in passing further reform legislation. Despite this, Roosevelt managed to establish key programs during his second term, including the Fair Labor Standards Act, which set minimum wage and maximum hours standards.

Impact and Legacy

The first two terms of Roosevelt's presidency transformed the American political and economic landscape. His leadership during the Great Depression helped restore public confidence and reshaped the role of the federal government. The New Deal programs not only addressed immediate economic needs but also laid the groundwork for modern social welfare policies.

See Also

• New Deal
• Eleanor Roosevelt
• History of the United States (1918–1945)