It is arguable that more has been written about FDR's personality than his actual policies. Also, his life experiences overcoming adversity in many ways made him an ideal leader (even if many of his constituents did not know he could not walk!). What are some key examples of FDR's optimism that stood out to you in the reading, and why?
Is optimism FDR's greatest policy?
I don't think it was nessasarily his optimism that drove him the most but his self confidence. In arguably two of the most demanding times in US history (The Great Depression and World War 2), being a president probably isn't the most stress-free life. In order to be able to be calm and make smart choices, one must have strong self confidence and motivation to handle those situations with knowledge and collectiveness
ReplyDeleteI think that the experiences such as getting polio in his thirties and his distant father. I can relate with FDR on having a distant father and how hard it can be at times, but it has given me more motivation to be a better man and be a better leader(like a father). I also think that overcoming hardships like a disease is a huge accomplishment and really helps to get a person motivated about life. When you put these two together with his personality you get a politician that may not be the best of the best, but he knows what hes doing and he knows how to get people emotionally invested in what he is doing.
ReplyDeleteThe article mentions that FDR projected a "pessimistic view of the economy'. One key example that stood out to me in the reading was FDR viewing competion as a destructive force. He did not think a competitive market economy would be beneficial. Another thing that stood out to me was the statement "Roosevelt's war-related defense outlays, coupled with the Federal Reserve's expansion of the money supply to fund federal deficits pilled the US out of the Great Depression in 1942". I think this pretty much sums up FDR's optimism and the role it played in getting the US out of the Depression. I do believe optimism is FDR's greatest policy because he chose to take a new path with the economy that was new and never taken before. Instead of just following the footprintd of his predecessors.
ReplyDeleteThe reading mentions that, "Roosevelt's success as a president would have been inconceivable without the extraordinary self-confidence that he felt and projected". I believe this is very true, and I also believe that with self-confidence comes optimism. If you think about it, there can't be one without the other. "Roosevelt compensated for whatever toll his practice took on the morale of his staff through his playful manner and the cheerful atmosphere he maintained around him": this quote exemplifies his positive/"cheerful" attitude. So my answer is yes, optimism is FDR's greatest policy.
ReplyDelete"The can-do spirit with which Roosevelt mobilized the full industrial might of the United States in the war effort galvanized millions into action and left a lasting impression in many minds."
From a young age FDR was groomed to be a leader. His optimism comes from his unshakeable self confidence, which allows him to be comfortable trying things. One example of this optimism is when he said the U.S could build 50000 planes and reporters scoffed.
ReplyDeleteFDR used his optimism to help maintain a good work place for his staff his 'playful manner and the cheerful atmosphere he maintained' made it so that his staff would be more productive because they were working for someone they really liked. While I do think that FDR's optimism, charisma, and confidence were huge influences on his success in office, I think that his policies and ability to work with others were his true strengths. I think that all of those things helped him become one of the best Presidents this country has ever seen.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this article, I think FDR's success in policy making came more from his confidence, risk taking, and dedication to his country than his personality. His was often described as "and haughty" and even got a nickname as Feather Duster!! Maybe he did just grow out of this personality thus allowing him to use it effectively in office, but it seems like his policy making stemmed much more from his confidence/risk taking. His own quote supports this idea that he won't just sit around and not take risk. "If it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something."
ReplyDeleteA particular demonstration of FDR's positive attitude and the effect it had on people wasn't when he gave speeches to the masses but when he was simply in the oval office surrounded by his subordinates. a quote, "playful manner and the cheerful atmosphere he maintained". I do believe that optimistic was his best policy. Although many could argue for all the political policies he implemented were far more important and usually i'd be inclined to agree if we were robots. But we aren't and we have emotion and morale that on occasion may need a little boost. A boost that FDR's optimism provided.
ReplyDeleteI think it was not just his optimism that captured America but his relatable personality. The optimism, i believe, came with this personality because no one truly enjoys being a pessimist, being an optimist is something he adapted to for the nation. I thought it was interesting what the article said about his radio show and how he explained to the nation what the situation was like around the world and told them to, "take out their maps." He understood that people like to feel well informed and he made people see him both as a fellow human, and as the hero they need. For those watching him on Television he would pretend to be able to stand so that the nation would see him as strong, but when talking to veterans he would show them his disabled legs because it would be reassuring to those injured. he adapted well to his audience so i think being positive was simply apart of it.
ReplyDeleteI believe that optimism is a huge topic in any struggle to overcome something as powerful as this. In a baseball game, and your down a couple runs in the last inning, you not just going to say, "well it was a good run but let's pack up and head home". You wouldn't do that. You would keep fighting until that last out is made. ThIs can be substituted as anything. Especially FDR's strive for America. When times are tough your not just going to give in. And FDR's optimism was contagious. It gave the nation an extra ounce of hope that maybe this can work. Maybe we can get out of this game that is called the Great Depression.
ReplyDeleteOptimism is a big factor in many presidents elections. You cannot be brought in to be in charge of a country if you don't give across an attitude that you can actually change things. Imagine if Obama said "I might be able to change some stuff". It just wouldn't work, people would say things like he doesn't believe in the country, or he's given up hope. This is why FDR had to bring this optimism to the table in his presidency.
ReplyDeleteFDR's persistence to reassure the people with his Fireside chats, and his positive (depending on the point of view) campaigns, where he reassured people the economy's tide will turn. He also let the people know that he had a plan, and that uncertainty was not an option in a time of such crisis. I think that his optimistic personality come from things that he chose not to talk about, such as his disability. When people noticed that FDR could not walk, yet he made no mention of it - (good, bad, or otherwise), and that was seen as optimism. FDR knew how to deal with bad situations, and handle them gracefully, without making an uproar about the situation's severity.
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ReplyDeleteWhat stood outmost to me after reading the text was the passage were they mention that FDR was a very experimental leader. There seemed to be no single moment when he didn't know what to do, if something didn't tried he had a plan B, C, D, etc.
I think people felt better because somebody told them what to do. They trusted him because he was so self - confident.
the extraordinary self-confidence that he felt and projected and his contagious optimism is the best post card and effective operation to boost America's economy and confidence.
ReplyDeleteAdd his progressive policies, no one other than him is capable to be put in the Oval Office.