Who wrote:
This was the Inaugural Speech of President Franklin D. Roosevelt (President of the U.S.A. from 1933 to 1945); delivered March 4 1933
Audience:
It was presented primarily to the citizens of the United States.
But one paragraph is directed towards foreign governments (“…I would dedicate this nation to the policy of the good neighbor…”). Two paragraphs are aimed at the Congress (“…in the event that the Congress shall fail…I shall ask the Congress for…Executive power to wage a war against the emergency…”).
Represent:
FDR's speech represented hope for the American people during the Great Depression. He is promising the country immediate relief from its suffering, a return to prosperity & good times, and reform of those institutions & practices which plunged the United States into the worst economic crisis in its history.
What is being said:
When Roosevelt was inaugurated in March 1933, the U.S. was at the climax of the worst depression in its history. The speech lays out clearly what the #1 goal of his administration will be (“Our greatest primary task is to put people to work.”). Roosevelt addresses many issues that face the country at this time. He focuses much of his speech on the Great Depression. He takes the financial community to task for encouraging a culture of greed during the 1920s. He blames the economic crisis on financiers and bankers. He declares this as the main reason for the economic collapse. He also discusses themes about the meaningless of materialism, unemployment, the greatness of the constitutional system, and the bright future America can look forward to if everyone pitches in to work hard for the common good.
How is it being said:
The speech is a rallying cry to the country to change its attitude from despair to optimism (“…the only thing we have to fear is fear itself…”) and the tone is that of a can-do attitude (“This is no unsolvable problem is we face it wisely and courageously.”)
What proof:
Franklin proposed that employment gains "can be accomplished in part by direct recruiting by the Government itself, treating the task as we would treat the emergency of a war, but at the same time, through this employment, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources.” He gives a listing in the same paragraph of many actions that can be taken to solve the nation’s problems, but they will only work if they are immediately implemented (“…can never be helped by merely talking about it. We must act. We must act quickly.”).
Historical Significance:
Through his speech, Franklin acknowledged the fears, tragedies, hopes, and dreams that lingered in the American people. Roosevelt says the people have made their wishes known for a:
much larger, activist Federal government (“…registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action.”), and
more powerful Chief Executive who will set the agenda for Congress and lead the nation (“They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes.”).
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