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Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s Inaugural Speech “So first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself- nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. ” This simple sentence shook America out of its slump for the better. It sunk into the hearts of every American that we have no choice but to be confident. If we aren’t then fear takes over us and instead of demonstrating our best selves, we get conservative, start second guessing and generally tend to trip over urselves.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt was one of the most influential men who ever lived. He was also the only President to be elected for three terms and this was for good reason. His first inaugural speech came during 1933, while United States was still feeling the effects of the great depression. In addition countries around the World were still feeling the effects of World War l. The purpose of Roosevelt’s speech was to start his presidency by addressing several issues and major themes and ideas that currently surrounded the country.
The main one being the Great Depression and the economic panic that was felt throughout the nation. Other major themes addressed in his speech were the unimportance of material wealth, unemployment, the greatness of the constitutional system, and the future of our country. Unlike many Presidents that we have today, Franklin Roosevelt’s speech not only put hope in countless American’s hearts, but also was strong and truthful. He eventually would accomplish almost everything he mentioned in his speech.
To fix employment, Franklin suggested, “It 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 believed that military jobs could greatly help fix unemployment, and at the same time bring the nation back on its feet by taking advantage economically with what the country had to offer.
For the unimportance of material wealth, Franklin believed that Americans should ake pride in accomplishing their goals and by working hard, but not by being rapacious with their money. “Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the Joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. The Joy and moral stimulation of work no linger must be forgotten in the mad chase of evanescent profits. ” Franklin also stresses the greatness of the constitutional system in the United States. “That is why our constitutional system has proved itself the most superbly enduring political mechanism the modern world has produced.
It has met every stress of vast xpanslon 0T terrltory, 0T Torelgn wars, 0T Dltter Internal strlTe, 0T world relatlons. ” He praises it because he believes it has never failed the country in any way. The constitutional system has guided the country through many conflicts before, and it can certainly get the United States back on its feet now. Finally, Franklin’s entire speech addresses the future of the United States and its people as a whole. “We do not distrust the future of essential democracy. The people of the United States have not failed.
In their need they have registered a mandate hat they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In 0 the spirit of the gift I take it. ” He believed that through his command and hardwork, the country can achieve its goals of moving on to better and greater things, especially after overcoming the Great Depression. “The great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. ” Roosevelt assured Americans that he would fulfill the countrys destiny of prosperity and pride.
Because of Roosevelt’s overwhelmingly convincing speech, many ideas of the American Dream had changed during this time. Americans no longer desired material wealth. Instead citizens wanted their pride back from the great depression and set out to prove that the United States was still the best country in the world. Through his speech, Franklin acknowledged the fears, tragedies, hopes, and dreams that lingered in the heart of every American. He is able to addresses all the concerns of American citizens and he has goals of fixing each and every one of them.
Roosevelt was a man of action. In his speech he explains that a solution cannot be found “merely by talking about it. We must act and act quickly. ” In the end he did. He started many reforms for the better known as the New Deal. This gave 4 million Jobs to unemployed workers, started the social security program, and installed the FDIC. Our economy quickly boosted back to the days before the Great Depression. And all this began with an influential speech. “There is no unsolvable problem if we face it wisely and courageously. “