The first inaugural address of Franklin D. Roosevelt was one that strove to lift the American people off their feet as the country entered some of it's worst years during the Great Depression. One of Roosevelt's strong advantages during his address was his ability to relate to the very real concerns of the everyday American citizens. With pressures of the failing economy facing the President-elect, he delivered this speech, addressing the nation about his plans for a New Deal. Roosevelt made his first point in his address by stating, “...the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” This statement later became one of the most famous Presidential lines in all of history. The purpose of this statement was to remind the nation that for this …show more content…
Roosevelt also uses this main topic for the mood of his entire speech; detailing the hopelessness that these families feel during this crucial time. Another great rhetoric device that Roosevelt utilizes in his speech is that of religion. In the closing statement of his inaugural speech, Roosevelt asks that, “In this dedication of a Nation we humbly ask the blessing of God. May He protect each and every one of us. May He guide me in the days to come.” His reference to God was added in an attempt to bring together the American people even in the greatest despair by using the topic most relatable for people, especially at this time. Roosevelt also declares that, “These dark days will be worth all they cost us if they teach us that our true destiny is not to be ministered unto but to minister to ourselves and to our fellow men.” Not only has he successfully engineered his speech in a way that puts audience members in the same state of mind, but he also goes on to enlighten these very same people to further instill hope and pride. Not only is this an effective rhetoric in his speech,
Along with ethos, Roosevelt used logos in his speech to successfully show that his plans for America were logical and reasonable. Roosevelt used logos to logically organize his speech to effectively inform America of the Emergency Banking Act and his possible solutions. Roosevelt told America at the beginning of his speech, “I want to tell you what has been done in the last few days, and why it was done, and what the next steps are going to be.” Roosevelt starts with this sentence because little hope and despair fill American hearts who need explanations for the failure of banks and Roosevelt comes out right away with what he’s about to say. The way
This quote shows some of the ideas that Roosevelt used during his run for president. They improved America substantially because these reforms were able to change America’s social and political conditions. Roosevelt was very passionate in trying to become president. While Wolraich may describe Roosevelt as unreasonable, he recognizes his passion and his progress that he made in reforming
Much of Roosevelt's success was a result of his cheerful personality. Beginning with his inaugural address- in which he assured the American people that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself"- he projected an infectious optimism that helped alleviate the growing despair.
Throughout the beginning of the 1900’s, Roosevelt became immensely favored and adored by the majority of United States citizens. After Theodore Roosevelt served his terms of presidency from 1901-1909, he declared that he would not accept a renomination for another term. With being in control of the Republican Party and also becoming quite favored, Roosevelt was able to name who his successor would be. With having being so popular and trustworthy, Roosevelt commanded the Republican Party to stay loyal to his ways by nominating and supporting Roosevelt’s secretary of war, William Howard Taft. When Roosevelt left office, he stated,
| Cumulative Sentence But neither can two great and powerful groups of nations take comfort…yet both racing to alter that uncertain balance.
When Abraham Lincoln won the presidency in 1860 the Union was divided. He accepted his presidential duties knowing that he was working with a nation that no longer remained united. Seven of the southern states had already seceded from the Union and were beginning to refer to themselves as the Confederates. What he had now were free states and slave states. When Lincoln gave his Inaugural Address he attempted to do so in a way that would not dissuade his chances of gaining support in the southern states, especially when it involved the institution of slavery. However, he also made it clear in his address that he believed a secure and united nation was of utmost importance and he rejected the ideas
Throughout the ages there have been many great leaders. These leaders are powerful in many ways, with a strong control over the people, and a place in history. But who would have guessed that two cousins would be some of the greatest government figures ever? Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Theodore Roosevelt, both American presidents, both American Heroes. Without these dignitaries, the American advancement into the present day would be incomplete and/or impossible. They gave people hope through hard times and the spirit to protect their country and one another.
It is those emotions and feelings of pride and patriotism towards their country that President Roosevelt plays upon within the American public the most. FDR uses many tactics within his speech to make sure that feelings of patriotism and pride are created within the American public. As one of the tactics that the President uses to instill feelings of patriotism and pride is by boosting their pride by saying things that make them feel good about their country and themselves. Throughout the whole speech the president consistently throws in quotes like, “We have the men. The skill, they wealth, and above all, the will,”(440) and “I call upon our people with absolute confidence that our common cause will greatly succeed,”(441) to boost American morale. FDR uses quotes like this throughout his whole speech to make them feel proud to be Americans and make them feel like they could take on anyone in the world and win. Another one of those tactics that FDR uses throughout his speech that helped create those feelings was by taking certain quotes from the axis powers that were derogatory toward the US and turning them around for his benefit. The statement located in the fifth paragraph states that, “…I can
Theodore Roosevelt is a president of great character. Different people who have been in his presence tend to agree with this statement. To describe his physical exuberance, Morris relays that John Burroughs felt that being in “TR’s mere proximity made him nervous.” (Morris 95). He furthers this statement by adding that, “there was something imminent about him, like an avalanche that the sound your voice might loosen.” (Morris 95). This is exactly what made such an unforgettable impression on all who had the pleasure of associating themselves with
The President wanted people to stand up and fight for their beliefs. American freedom was being threatened and Roosevelt felt that the United States government had great responsibilities and people were counting on them to make the right decision (29). Freedom was described in this speech as the basic rights that the government should be able to give the people. It was said that the basic rights of freedom should never be lost or forgotten during times of hardship. Freedom was also described in this speech as, “the supremacy of human rights everywhere” (Roosevelt
Roosevelt's pledge to his constituents as well as his political prowess and strong-willed demeanor placed hopes in the hearts of Americans. On the eve of his inauguration night alone, "Roosevelt told the nation that `the only thing we have to fear is fear itself and promised effective leadership in the crisis (Rosen)." Furthermore, throughout his four terms in office, FDR sensing that the American people needed guidance as well as comfort continued to aggressively lead the United States out of the Depression and later on persisted with his unique style of leadership as he was forced to take his constituents to war. During his time as president, Roosevelt's America was in a crisis and like most other nations throughout the world, in the same predicament; it thirsted for an exceptionally good leader with a superior moral compass and determination that was willing to take charge and point the way to a brighter future.
Franklin Roosevelt became one of the most successful presidents in U.S. history due to the three character traits of optimism, perseverance, and leadership. Roosevelt's optimistic attitude gave Americans hope to keep fighting through the Great Depression and World War Two, were most Americans were ready to give up. Jean Smith presents this idea when he quotes Roosevelt in his Presidential Biography FDR writing, “This great Nation will endure as it has endured will revive and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that only thing to fear is fear itself… The effect of the speech was electrifying, the praise all but unanimous. No one doubted that a new era had begun” (Smith 302-303). Franklin Roosevelt lit the fire back
When President Franklin D. Roosevelt came into office in place of Herbert Hoover in 1933, the Great Depression had taken a tight, ferocious hold on the nation. In his inaugural address, Roosevelt’s famous words were, “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
In his masterful first inaugural address, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt strove to inspire confidence and hope towards him, the government, and in the people themselves.Using the three parts of rhetoric, ethos, pathos, and logos, Roosevelt did three main actions that made the inaugural address succeed: while speaking of the evils of the depression, he contrasted it with reaffirming values of the American people, Roosevelt detailed his plan to make America get out of the depression, and finally, asked, not demanded, the people to put their faith in him. And through that, he managed to begin working to end the American Great Depression.
The quote, “ the only thing we have to fear is fear itself,” was said by our 32nd president, Franklin D. Roosevelt. The famous quote was stated during President Roosevelt’s first inaugural address. In this situation Roosevelt had recently been appointed President. He was