Wednesday, March 20, 2013

FDR: The Greatest President?

Over the course of American History thus far, we have stopped to consider the significance of certain presidents such as Washington, Jefferson, Jackson, Polk, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt.  Each of these men has a certain claim to being remembered for the positive impact that each has had on American History, either immediately at the time of their service, or later as the results of their efforts and policies have ripened and brought forth fruit.  None of them, however, has had the public appeal and lasting influence of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, a man who certainly felt a call to destiny, and a man who, despite his paralysis from polio, inspired others to rise to the multiple challenges facing the country (Great Depression, Fear of Fear Itself, Lingering Recession, Pearl Harbor, the War in Europe, the War in the Pacific, etc.) over the twelve-plus years in which he presided in the White House.  As far-reaching as his cousin's, Teddy Roosevelt's, presidency was, it is indisputable that the shadow of influence that is cast by FDR still hangs over presidents today.

Consider each of FDR's separate terms in office (1933-37; 1937-41; 1941-45; 1945) and sumamrize the major accomplishments (social, political, economic, etc.) and major failures (social, political, economic, etc.) in each.  Then, determine to what extent it can be said that FDR was or was not the greatest of American presidents up to his time.  This will require you to re-evaluate some of our past presidents so that you can convincingly argue for or against one of them in favor or not of FDR.

Your response will necessarily need to be at least seven (7) paragraphs in length (Introduction, First Term, Second Term, Third Term, Fourth Term, Evaluation, Conclusion) and will need to incorporate comparisons to previous administrations and their claims to greatness.

DUE DATE:  Monday, April 8, 2013

Minimum Word Count: 1,000 words