President Children’s Book American Government It’s important ✓ Solved

Research and write a mini biography on your assigned President. The book needs to be a minimum of 14 pages (4 normal 8x10 sheets of paper folded in half) with each page consisting of a picture and at least 2 sentences, but no more than 4. You can create the book completely on the computer, but hand-drawn pictures with color will earn more points. Include a brief history of where they came from, how long they served, and key points to their campaigns/administrations. Mention at least 4 key events during their administration and any foreign affairs or world interaction.

Additionally, extra credit can be earned for exceptional creativity and execution. Have fun with the concepts and the project!

Paper For Above Instructions

For this project, I will focus on President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States, who served from 1933 to 1945. His administration was marked by significant events and reforms that shaped the nation's response to the Great Depression and World War II.

Early Life and Background

Franklin Delano Roosevelt, commonly known as FDR, was born on January 30, 1882, in Hyde Park, New York. He was born into a wealthy family, with deep roots in American history. His father, James Roosevelt I, was a successful businessman, and his mother, Sara Delano Roosevelt, belonged to a prominent family. FDR attended Harvard University, where he earned a degree in history and later attended Columbia University Law School, although he did not complete his degree.

Political Career Before Presidency

Roosevelt's political career began in 1910 when he was elected to the New York State Senate. He served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy under President Woodrow Wilson during World War I. His early political career was promising, but it was his battle with polio that would define his later life. After being diagnosed with polio in 1921, Roosevelt faced tremendous personal challenges, but he remained dedicated to public service and continued to develop his political strategies and connections.

Presidency and the New Deal

FDR was elected President in 1932 during the depths of the Great Depression. Upon taking office, he launched the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms aimed at providing relief for the unemployed, stimulating economic recovery, and reforming the financial system. The New Deal included initiatives such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which provided jobs for young men, and the Social Security Act, which established a social safety net for vulnerable Americans. These measures transformed the role of the federal government in the economy and society.

Key Events During His Administration

1. The Banking Crisis and the Emergency Banking Act (1933): One of the first actions taken by FDR was to address the banking crisis. He declared a bank holiday and pushed through the Emergency Banking Act, stabilizing the financial system and restoring public confidence.

2. The Social Security Act (1935): This landmark legislation established a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent children. It marked a significant expansion of the federal government’s role in economic welfare.

3. World War II and the Lend-Lease Act (1941): As World War II escalated, FDR shifted focus to foreign affairs. The Lend-Lease Act allowed the U.S. to supply allies, notably Britain and later the Soviet Union, with vital military supplies, solidifying American support for the Allied cause.

4. The Attack on Pearl Harbor and U.S. Entry into WWII (1941): The surprise attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, prompted FDR to ask Congress for a declaration of war against Japan, marking the entry of the United States into World War II. His speech to Congress the following day famously began with “a date which will live in infamy,” rallying the American people to support the war effort.

Foreign Affairs and Global Interaction

Throughout his presidency, FDR was heavily involved in shaping U.S. foreign policy during a tumultuous period in global history. His commitment to international cooperation was evident in his role in establishing the United Nations after WWII, aiming to promote peace and prevent future conflicts. Roosevelt believed that the U.S. had a moral duty to support democracy and peace in the world.

Legacy and Conclusion

Franklin D. Roosevelt passed away on April 12, 1945, shortly before the end of World War II. His leadership during the Great Depression and the global conflict redefined the presidency and the American government. The policies and practices he implemented continue to influence the role of the federal government in American life. Today, FDR is remembered as one of the most impactful Presidents in U.S. history, providing a template for future leaders on how to address both domestic and international challenges.

References

  • Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People. McGraw-Hill Education, 2016.

  • Schlesinger, Arthur M. The Age of Roosevelt: The Crisis of the Old Order, 1919-1933. Houghton Mifflin, 1957.

  • Roosevelt, Franklin D. "Annual Message (1933)." The American Presidency Project. https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/annual-message-congress-1933

  • Kennedy, David M. Freedom from Fear: The American People in World War II. Oxford University Press, 1999.

  • Leuchtenburg, William E. Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1940. Harper & Row, 1963.

  • Brands, H.W. Traitor to His Class: The Privileged Life and Radical Presidency of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Knopf, 2008.

  • Gordon, John Steele. The President and the Apprentice: Woodrow Wilson, Frank Willoughby, and the First Century of the American Presidency. Random House, 2020.

  • Belasky, Michael. "The Social Security Act of 1935." Social Work History. 2017.

  • Kernell, Samuel, et al. The Logic of American Politics. CQ Press, 2021.

  • Hoffman, Peter. The Holocaust and World War II: A Historical Perspective. Academic Press, 2013.