Summary: FDR makes his first few words crystal clear; We are in peril. After a stock market crash and ensuing economic panic, he faces a long road to recovery. He reassures the people that although it may seem to be a continually looming threat, it wasn't as bad as people believe. Fearing this depression is dangerous, and he asserts that, "The only thing to fear is fear itself". Roosevelt recognizes that, yes, the economy is in shambles and the farmers are rioting and everyone's savings are gone and traders have no hope, but it was his almost reckless hopefulness that characterized his first inaugural.
The problems that led to this Great Depression were selfishness, as evident in the stock traders; problems that could be rectified. The ethics that plague this nation must be reversed in the direction of good will, and the government must join in this fervor, with relief efforts, subsidization and government employment. To cure these ills will allow for greater trade not only within, but internationally.
To dig this great nation out of this depression will take "collectivism" and self sacrifice, evident in the selfless actions of the founding fathers. Roosevelt's rock solid confidence was a beacon of hope to a struggling nation.
No comments:
Post a Comment