How Far Was Roosevelt Himself Responsible For His Election Victory In 1932 Essay Example

to recognize his personal achievements.

As Governor of New York, he prioritized enhancing the standard of living for ordinary Americans, such as farmers and jobless individuals. Additionally, he made certain that elderly citizens had access to pensions. He remained dedicated to fulfilling his pledges to the public throughout his term and even suggested on a radio broadcast that challenging circumstances necessitated innovative initiatives.

Those who trusted in the overlooked laborers at the base of the economic hierarchy were renewing their belief in "the forgotten man."

The foundation of America's economy would be severely weakened and potentially collapse if unemployment were to persist. Thus, the Governor made history by directing $20 million of tax funds towards aiding the unemployed. He pledged to establish unemployment benefits and launch expansive government industrial initiatives that would generate employment opportunities. This initiative provided hope to countless hungry Americans.

As a result of his support for active government during the Great Depression, President Roosevelt gained popularity with the unemployed, homeless, and hungry who were among his supporters in the election. He promised that the New Deal, which aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform (RRR), would be the solution to the country's crisis.

Despite the Republicans (Hoover's party) advocating for laissez faire and placing emphasis on individual self-reliance instead of government support, Roosevelt was prepared to utilize government funding and interfere as much as needed to alleviate the country's depression. He was known for his amiable personality and aptitude in politics, actively listening to ideas and demonstrating flexibility to meet people's needs.

Prior to his 1932 presidential victory, the 4 year stint as Governor of New York and a previous unsuccessful presidential bid in 1920 earned

him recognition among political followers. Although paralyzed by polio, his suffering provided a personal understanding of the hardships faced by ordinary Americans which propelled him to diligently serve their needs.

Despite being capable and talented, the key to Roosevelt's victory in the presidency may have been due to Hoover's unpopularity. In contrast, Hoover became America's President during a time when the country was prosperous, with low unemployment and many enjoying luxurious lifestyles. However, Roosevelt's popularity grew among locals as he sought advice and prioritized their desires.

The Depression, a period of economic decline in America also known as the result of the 1929 Wall Street Crash, caused widespread suffering. While Herbert Hoover was blamed for it, the concept of 'laissez-faire', uniquely American belief in rugged individualism, played a part in exacerbating the situation.

Although he was considered a non-interventionist, the general public perceived him as not sufficiently involved. He originated from modest beginnings and held the belief that all Americans possessed the capability for achievement like himself. When the Great Depression struck, he was cautious to respond because he believed it would only be a momentary obstacle. He even reassured businessmen by saying "Prosperity is just around the corner." It wasn't until 1932 that he finally took steps to tackle the Depression.

In response to the Great Depression, the President established the Reconstruction Finance Corporation with the goal of providing financial aid to struggling companies. Despite this and other efforts, these measures were inadequate in achieving significant results. The unemployment rate surged during this time, with Cleveland hitting a high of 50% in 1932. Additionally, Philadelphia faced challenges in distributing assistance to 50,000 families experiencing extreme poverty and

hunger.

Official reports indicate that the unemployment rate rose significantly from 3.2% in 1929 to an alarming 25.2% by 1933, with around one-third of the labor force being jobless as per another source. Nonetheless, it is believed that the real unemployment figures were higher than those reported by authorized agencies.

In 1930, Hoover supported the Hawley-Smoot Tariffs and increased federal spending on building projects to create employment opportunities. Additionally, he urged employers not to lay off workers or reduce wages and introduced measures aimed at alleviating unemployment. The establishment of the Reconstruction Finance Corporation was considered his most effective initiative, although it was ultimately deemed insufficient. However, Hoover's reputation as the worst American President is largely due to the 1929 Wall Street Crash which triggered the global depression in 1932. While he faced unfortunate circumstances, some of his actions were also deemed responsible for the outcome.

During the election campaigns, Hoover was preoccupied with combating the Depression and had a strained relationship with the press. In contrast, Roosevelt was regarded as personable and appealing to the average American due to his charisma. Hoover was inflexible in adhering to his policies and was not receptive to new ideas, while Roosevelt engaged with the public and appeared connected rather than aloof.

Hoovervilles, the shantytowns erected during the Great Depression, were named after Hoover due to the intense hatred that people felt towards him. They knew that he was not capable of aiding them and this sentiment made voting an easy decision. Throughout his career, Roosevelt had the support of his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, who aided him in recovering from polio in 1921. Additionally, members of his cabinet such as Frances Perkins,

early advisors like S Rosenman, and his secretary Grace Tully always stood by him. Despite facing competition from John Garner in the 1932 Presidential election within the Democratic Party, Roosevelt's career flourished with such support.

In order to secure the success of the Democratic Party in future national elections, he consented to resign and endorse Roosevelt, demonstrating his readiness to take any action necessary. Because many of his followers joined Roosevelt's team, he was selected as Vice President by him. There were two primary factors that shaped his political trajectory: marrying Eleanor, Theodore Roosevelt's niece, in 1905 and serving as Woodrow Wilson's Assistant Secretary of the Navy during World War I.

Roosevelt achieved a historic win in the 1932 election with the largest majority seen in ninety years. The reason for this can be traced back to Hoover's lack of leadership qualities and unpopularity resulting from his failure to fulfill promises or consider people's opinions. Despite this, there is some controversy over whether he should bear complete responsibility for economic difficulties as he did make efforts to revive it.

The Depression era Americans believed that Roosevelt's optimistic personality and his New Deal proposal would rescue them from the crisis. They had faith in his ability to fulfill his commitments, leading to Herbert Hoover's defeat due to unfavorable election timing. Although Hoover had taken over as President during a period of prosperity, he was faced with the challenge of dealing with the Depression, while Roosevelt emerged victorious with a clear majority.