Roosevelts Presidency and Character - Essay Example

?FDR as an Example of Presidential Courage Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) was the thirty second president of the United s exemplified both personal and Presidential courage throughout his life. Highlighting his presidential career he led the United States out of the Great Depression which at that time was the most devastating time in the country’s history. He also is credited with establishing the United Nations implemented to become an organization of peace throughout the world in concordance with his vision of how the world should function. Roosevelt had a strong sense of purpose. ““Deep down he possessed serene confidence in the divine purpose of the universe.” (Smith, 56). Roosevelt’s presidency and character are marked by a strong sense of morality and courage. Born on January 30, 1882, Roosevelt was born to his father’s second wife, Sara Delano who came from a prominent family as were the Roosevelt’s who were wealthy for multiple generations. His father was 51 at the time of his birth while his mother was only 28. Though prominent families typically left the care of their children to nannies and nurses, Sara preferred to raise Franklin herself. “Sara was determined to raise Franklin as a Delano, which meant to raise him as she had been raised under the benign discipline of her father.” (Smith, 49). During the earlier part of his life, his education was through the efforts of governesses and tutors as his parents would not send him to public school. “One of the most gifted tutors was a young Swiss woman names Jeanne Rosat-Sandoz, who, in addition to drilling Franklin in modern languages, attempted to instill a sense of social responsibility.” (Smith, 50). It was important to her to develop him as both a person and a scholar. She “believed in social reform and the Social Gospel; she did her utmost to arouse in FDR a social concern for those less fortunate.” (Smith, 50). Her influence on him did not go unnoticed by FDR as he later wrote to her from the White House and said – “I have often thought it was you, more than anyone else, who laid the foundation for my education.” (Smith, 50). His mind was expanded and challenged and he avoided public schools. Yet, he was not spoiled. He also had a lot of travel in his childhood and his parents knew the Cleveland family and so FDR grew up having been to the White House and meeting people in Congress and whose. At age 14, he went to the prestigious Groton School where he was educated in the traditional classic style and did average in school but well enough to enter Harvard University where he also spent time working for the Harvard Newspaper and eventually become editor. Though he did not have extensive dating experience, during this time he began dating and against the wishes of especially his mother, he became determined to marry his fifth cousin, Anna Eleanor Roosevelt. She was raised in one of the less fortunate branches of the family but he did marry her in 1905 and shortly after he started at Columbia University Law School. Though FDR was a competent enough scholar, school was never a priority for him. He passed the bar exam but never completed his degree. He had difficulty in law school but seemed unconcerned. “FDR’s attitude toward law school was similar to Ulysses S. Grant’s view of West Point: it was a hurdle but should not be taken too seriously.” (Smith,96). His ability to face these challenges in life was an example of how he would handle challenges later in his presidency as he would not be stressed or overwhelmed by the situations he would face. “That was a trait he would hone to an art form in public life. ‘If something was unpleasant and he didn’t want to know about it, he just ignored it and never talked about it,’ said Eleanor. ‘I think he always thought that if you ignore a thing long enough it would settle itself.’” (Smith, 101). However, his college experiences did also help develop his leadership skills which would be key in his presidency. Leadership developed early while he attended Harvard. “Roosevelt learned to get along with his contemporaries; at Harvard he learned to lead them.” (Smith, 69). In 1905 he took a clerkship position as a Wall Street law firm and while there mentioned to his fellow clerks that he was determined to enter politics and become president. A fellow Harvard grad who worked there with FDR notes, “I remember him saying with engaging frankness that the wasn’t going to practice law forever, that he intended to run for office at the first opportunity, and that he wanted to be and thought he had a real chance to be president.” (Smith, 105). No one doubted this desire whether it was the manner in which he made the statement or his family history as the nephew of Theodore Roosevelt. In 1910 he had his chance as he accepted the Democratic nomination for the New York Senate to which he was elected. The majority of his backing emerged from those Democrats affiliated with New York City's notorious Tammany Hall. Roosevelt joined a group of upstate legislators who opposed the election of Tammany's choice for U.S. senator. The rebels were successful in forcing acceptance of another candidate. Roosevelt gained significant publicity from this struggle in large to Albany reporter Louis McHenry Howe, who took a vested interest in furthering Roosevelt’s career. In 1912, Woodrow Wilson was elected president; Roosevelt had been a campaign worker, and his strong efforts were noticed by prominent party elder Josephus Daniels. When Daniels became secretary of the Navy in Wilson's Cabinet, he persuaded Wilson to offer Roosevelt the assistant secretaryship. Though he was successful, while still in this position he attempted to receive the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senator for New York which upset both Wilson and Daniels and he lost some of their favor. Roosevelt lost further favor with the, when he favored intervention in the time preceding World War I when the Wilson administration was following a more neutral position. His mother, Sarah was supportive of his decisions and was confident that if Teddy could become president, so could Franklin. “From the moment she heard Franklin make his simple, sincere declaration and knew that it was wise.” (Smith, 110). During this time he also underwent personal turmoil as his son died in 1910. Yet, his courage and personal character shone through as he took this tragedy and responded as he “quietly joined the board of the New York Mile Committee, to help combat infant mortality.” (Smith, 132). It had been determined that the cause of death was traced to unpasteurized milk and his son has been bottle-fed and had drunk from unsterilized bottles. FDR’s commitment to his own beliefs in spite of any repercussions from other politicians demonstrates his strong personality, leadership qualities and strength of character needed in any political leadership position. In fact, it was his personality and confidence developed in his youth that groomed him for his political life. “Youth and inexperience melded with the patrician confidence instilled at Springfield, Groton, and Harvard. Franklin exuded confidence in victory from the first day of the campaign.” (Smith, 112). Additionally, his social personality coupled with his confidence won people over as he talked with everyone and treated them as friends. “He would approach them as a friend and would up to that … with that smile of his.” (Smith 114). America soon entered World War I providing Roosevelt opportunity to work for a cause he believed in and supported. “Busy as FDR was, he had no intention of fighting the war behind a desk. And though he had a wife and five young children, he was determined to see action.” (Smith, 232). There was only one assistant secretary giving him extensive responsibilities. Louis McHenry Howe went to Washington with him evolving into Roosevelt’s indispensable guardian and assistant. Together their management of the department was creditable and as the war ended, the handling of the situation following by the Wilson administration was not received well by the country and reflected poorly on the entire party. However, it provided Roosevelt opportunity to undertake a strong campaign effort and he took trains throughout the nation speaking many times each day and made personal connections with local leaderships. Most importantly, he was able to remember names and faces and keep a personable interaction with those contacts establishing himself in spite of the decisive defeat of the party at this time. Again, it was his strong personality and character that provided him success. However, his known affair with Lucy almost ruined his marriage and the effects it may have had on his career are unknown ad Josephus Daniels, discharged her from her position and though it was never stated, most likely fired her because of the gossip going around Washington. He was a very discreet individual who likely stepped in to save FDR from any consequences of this affair. “Daniels was old-fashioned about the sanctity of marriage and the sin of divorce.” (Smith, 254). During a period of attempted between Franklin and Eleanor, they heard on the radio that Theodore Roosevelt was dead. This was shocking news. “T.T. had just turned sixty-one and, though he had recently been hospitalized, seemed to be regaining strength for another run at the White House in 1920.” (Smith, 272). This increased concern about the steadily increasing power of the Republican party and FDR started considering the future especially with Wilson’s failing administration. The idea of becoming vice-president on the Hoover ticket entered his mind though never came about. Though he was an upward track in the Democratic party, in 1921 he became mysteriously ill and an immediate diagnosis was not known. He was almost completely paralyzed though his illness and condition was kept private. It was feared this would end his political career but his personal courage would not allow this to be such a setback and perhaps his enduring ambition would only strengthen his character and courage which would be insurmountable as a president. “Franklin appeared relieved to know the worst. ‘He looked very strained and very tired,’ said Eleanor. ‘But he was completely calm. His reaction to any great event was always to be completely calm.’” (Smith, 310). There were no cures for Poliomyelitis, but there were methods of treatment that would make the illness tolerable. Meanwhile Roosevelt, realizing that cures were impossible, turned to the encouragement of prevention and would not be stopped in his professional and political ambitions. This was a courage not many would overcome. In 1928 he again entered the political arena when Al Smith put in his own nomination at the Democratic conventions of 1924 and 1928. However, it was immediately evident that Smith could not win the election. Smith believed that Roosevelt, as candidate for governor, would help to win New York. Roosevelt initially resisted as he was concerned about the effects on his political career would be if he lost. Eleanor was remarkably supportive through the entire ordeal. If anything, his bout with polio demonstrated his strength of character and courage to the American public as he would walk on his own whenever possible. His time as governor of New York solidified his role as a leader and the combined courage of FDR and Eleanor made this possible. “By March 1930, although the reality of the Depression was still not acknowledged in Washington, Roosevelt established a commission to stabilize employment in New York – the first state commission of its kind in the United States.” (Smith, 386), This represented true leadership ability as he recognized problems and addressed them immediately without waiting for others to take the lead or agree; Roosevelt set the standards. It was 1932 when Roosevelt defeated Hoover and began his first term as president though it was Hoover who lost more than Roosevelt winning. The entire country was in economic crisis with industries collapsing and an elevated unemployment rate that was paralyzing the country. Roosevelt provided much needed relief with large scale increases in employment, assistance to farmers in distress and the reopening of many banks that had been closed. In 1934, he proposed a social security system with the intent that such a depression would never again occur in the United States. The strength of Roosevelt’s presidency was that his primary concern was in making a difference and addressing what needed to be done. “Roosevelt also listened. The stories of low farm prices, failed banks, and rural poverty stayed with him into the White House.” (Smith, 351). This hope and relief he provided increased his support and all of these measures he implemented were collectively known as the New Deal. “In broad terms, I assert that modern society, acting through its government, owes the definite obligation to prevent the starvation of dire want of its fellow men and women who try to maintain themselves but cannot…. To these unfortunate citizens aid must be extended by the government – not as a matter of charity, but as a matter of social duty.” (Smith, 402.). The success of his programs and extensive popularity no doubt led to his 1936 re-election by an unprecedented majority victory. On February 15, shortly after his inauguration, he began to address a crowd of over 20,000 in Miami when shots rang out and FDR was hit twice in the abdomen. Yet, even in the midst of the chaos his remained courageous. “Roosevelt sat immobile and unflinching, his jaw was set, ready for what might happen next.” (Smith, 470). His reaction continued to be matter of fact not allowing anything to interfere with his purpose. This control and courage instilled confidence in the public. He continued his strong public image through his fireside chats in which he spoke directly to the public in a way that everyone understood him and everyone felt his care and concern. The public responded well to this approach. “’When millions of people can hear the President speak to them directly in their own homes, we get a new meaning for the old phrase about a public man going to the country,’ said the New York Times.” (Smith, 499). His Second term was more of a struggle as the Supreme Court considered a number of his New Deal programs and methods unconstitutional. He made attempt to stack the court in his favor but this effort was even defeated by his own party as well as Congress. “The claim was absurd and Roosevelt should have known better. And if not, his attorney General should have.” (Smith, 629). This was one of his few miscues in his political career. It did cause him the loss of some public support and caused problems and fracture within the Democratic party itself. Still, in 1940 Roosevelt became the first to run for a third term. Even though this was a non-traditional move, he did not feel his reform efforts were complete and he was concerned about the growing power and intentions of Adolf Hitler. “What American does or fails to do in the next few years has greater bearing and influence on the history of the whole human race for centuries to come that most of us who are here today can ever conceive.” (Smith, 684). He felt Europe would be easily defeated if the United States did not become involved. Though this move for war was unpopular, his opponent Wendall Wilkie was also in favor of this decision so it was not an election issue helping quiet the we want Wilkie chants that had become common. “Wilkie’s support for the draft ‘broke the back’ of the opposition, said California’s isolationist senator Hiram Johnson.” (Smith, 759). Shortly into his third term, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor making World War II inevitable. “Yesterday, December 7, 1941 – a date which will live in infamy – the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” (Smith, 822). Winston Churchill and Roosevelt joined forced determining it was necessary to first address issues in Germany and Italy and FDR ordered Gen. Douglas MacArthur, to retreat from the Philippines to Australia, something he was bitterly reluctant to do. Once the issue of Hitler was addressed, the Japanese would be next. The anticipated invasion of Europe was postponed and allied troops were instead sent into Africa, with Gen. Dwight Eisenhower in command, to attack Field Marshal Erwin Rommel from the rear. Eventually an Allied crossing to Sicily and a slow, costly march up the Italian peninsula, correlated with the attack across the English Channel, forced the Italian collapse and the German surrender. Meanwhile MacArthur was belatedly given the support he needed for a brilliant island-hopping campaign that drove the Japanese back, destroyed their fleet, and endangered their home island. After the German surrender, the Pacific war was brought to an end by the American atomic bomb explosion over the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. By this time Roosevelt was dead. He had not participated in that doubtful decision; but he had been, with Churchill, in active command during the war until then. However, in February and March his health began to decline. Sometimes he would even fall asleep in the middle of working but his resolve never waivered. “’He would grin in slight embarrassment as he caught himself,” Tully recalled. Once he blanked out halfway through signing his name to a letter, leaving a long, illegible scrawl.” (Smith, 1000). He managed to recover and continue with his Presidency continuing to make decisions that he felt was in the best interest of humanity. Though there was often questioning to his methods, no one ever questioned his motives. “Reasonable people can debate specific decisions, indecisions, actions and inactions…. But no one should question Roosevelt’s motives or good will toward the Jewish victims of the world’s worst human atrocity.” (Smith, 1014). He had the courage to make the decisions that needed to be made. At Warm Springs he prepared the address to be used at San Francisco, where the meeting to ratify agreements concerning the United Nations was to be held; but he found himself unable to enjoy the pine woods and the gushing waters. He sat wan and frail in his small cottage, getting through only such work as had to be done. He finished signing papers on the morning of April 12, 1945. Within hours, he suffered the massive cerebral hemorrhage that killed him. The nation lost one of the most influential Presidents. “No president… has had a sharper sense of personal power, a sense of what it and where it comes from; none has had more hunger for it, few have had more use for it, and only one or two could match his faith in his own competence to use it.” (Smith, 560). Robert Taft, an opponent of Roosevelt, captured the sentiment of the nation. “’The President’s death,’ he said, ‘removed the greatest figure of our time at the very climax of his career, and shocks the world to which his words and actions were more important that those of any other man. He dies a hero of the war, for he literally worked himself to death in the service of the American people.” (Smith, 1046). A special train carried Roosevelt's body to Washington, and there he lay in the White House until he was taken to Hyde Park and buried in the hedged garden he himself had prepared. His grave is marked by a plain marble slab, and his wife is buried beside him. He had given the estate to the nation, and it is now a shrine much visited by those who recall or have heard how great a man he was for his time. Roosevelt is an exemplary example to presidents on handling the office. His stood firm by his decisions, put the needs of the country first and did not political agendas of others interfere with his decision making process. He demonstrated strong character and courage in all aspects of his life. His own words best summarize his approach. “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” (Smith, 445). Works Cited Smith, Jean Edward. FDR. New York: Random, 2007. Electronic Format. Read More