Joe DEustachio Essays (997 words) - United States,

Joe D'Eustachio SPE 101 Famous Speech Purpose: To explain how Franklin Delano Roosevelt's First Inaugural Address was so impactful to the people of America during the Great Depression. Central Idea: On March 4, 1933, Franklin Delano Roosevelt was sworn in as the new President of the United States while the Great Depression was at its height. It was at the Capitol Building where he delivered his first inaugural address that not only invigorated the American spirit, but restored hope that the darkest days of the depression were behind them, and gave him the support he needed to launch his New Deal. Franklin D. Roosevelt, or FDR for short, is remembered as one of the greatest Presidents of all time. He was the only president to be elected four times! Roosevelt was the leader of the United States during one of the most difficult times in our country's history: The G reat Depression . FDR's First Inaugural Address is perhaps one of the most memorable speeches of all time. When Roosevelt was inaugurated, the United States was in utter turmoil. The Great Depression, as it soon became known as, was at its seemed to be at its peak. The American people were beaten and broken from this depression, and FDR was able to deliver an uplifting speech where he united them to get through the it together. Today, I would like to tell you all not only about the life of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, and how his First Inaugural Address was able to rally the people of America together to beat the depression. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born January 30, 1882 into the wealthy Roosevelt family. He was the only child to James and Sara Ann Delano Roosevelt, and lived at his family's estate Springwood, which is in Hudson Valley, New York. He studied law, and went on to go to Harvard and Columbia, until passing the bar exam in 1907. However, the practice of law bored him, and he set his eyes on more prestigious goals. Roosevelt was a democrat, and held many seats in office before becoming President. He was the New York state Senate, Secretary of the Navy, and Governor of New York. However, in 1921, he contracted polio. He thought his political career was over, but with help from his wife Eleanor, FDR had learned how to walk short distances in braces, and not be seen in public in his wheelchair. It was not until the stock market crash of 1929 that Roosevelt decided to run for president. He defeated Herbert Hoover in 1932, who was running for a second term with the Republican party, wit h an upbeat attitude, and a promise for change. As for the other three elections he won, they were all landslide victories. FDR had led the U.S. through some very tough times. The stress from The Great Depression, the Pearl Harbor attacks, and World War II took its toll on the President, who was very sick to begin with. He is remembered as a remarkably strong man for everything he was able to shoulder during what was going on in the world during his presidency. Franklin Roosevelt passed away from a massive cerebral hemorrhage on April 12, 1945 while still in office, and Harry Truman became president. FDR is remembered as being a terrific public speaker. He lifted audiences out of their seats, especially with his First Inaugural Address. It was held on March 4, 1933 at the United States Capitol after he had defeated Republican Herbert Hoover in the 1932 election. Following the financial infrastructure collapsing, bank failure, taking families' entire life savings with them and sending the unemployment rate ridiculously high. So, when Roosevelt called for swift and decisive action, the people wereecstatic. His plans to utilize the full power of the U.S. government to put people back to work were the actions people were waiting for; his message that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" were just the words America needed to hear. I chose this speech because I believe it showed how incredible of a public speaker FDR was. His energy, attitude, and charm were how he was able to "Wow" audiences that listened to