As a result with the peoples army behind him he was able to commence his conquest to defeat the economic foe. Despite the conciseness of the address, especially during the recent economic recession, it remains one of the most renowned speeches within history.
When on March 4, 1933 Roosevelt took the oath of office as President of the United States the nation was in the midst of an economic disaster. On the brink of the inauguration day America was experiencing it’s fourth winter of depression. The week prior to Roosevelt taking up the presidency Europeans withdrew almost $1 billion in gold reserve from New York City banks. Furthermore, state governors declared a de facto bank holiday to be implemented. On March 4 over five thousand banks were closed which included all banks in New York and Illinois. Almost a quarter of the national workforce was unemployed. On the verge of FDR being sworn in as president, America’s economy was on the brink of collapse. The very ideals of the American dream, that if one works hard he can live a happy and prosperous life, were shaken from their very foundations. As Heale surmised, ‘When Franklin Roosevelt was sworn in on 4 March 1933 the economic crisis was at its most terrifying.’ In light of such an economic background the hope and confidence of the nation was deflated into a pit of despair. As a result FDR was likened as onto a physician, the New York Times highlighted on the eve of his inauguration ‘he will be thought of as something of a miracle-worker.’
During the interregnum, November 1932 – March 1933, Roosevelt refused to associate himself with the Hoover administration. In the final months of his presidency Hoover attempted to enroll FDR’s help in producing a solution to the worsening crisis by pleading him to cooperate in a commission to discuss foreign economic affairs such as the war debts. Further, FDR ignored invitations to be involved in the London Economic Conference in spring 1933. Even on the very eve of FDR’s inauguration Hoover presented a final effort in order to get the President-elect to regulate international financial trade. Conkin argues that FDR allowed the situation to worsen over the final months of Hoover’s administration in order to climax the image of Roosevelt as the carrier of the hopes of millions of Americans.
Conkin: The setting of the inauguration in 1933 was perfect for a hero. Depression, a bank panic, fear, the darkness could not deepen. No dramatist could have plotted a more desolate and appropriate scene for a hero’s entry… Everyone was willing to give Roosevelt an opportunity to work his magic.
FDR characterized a new social order. No where less was this seen when on inauguration day when Hoover and Roosevelt shared the traditional car journey to the capitol building Hoover depicted a somber mood in contrast to FDR’s usual warm public charm as he waved his top hat to the crowds.
The New Yorker as its front cover piece on March 4, 1933 published a cartoon portraying the scene of a melancholy Hoover in contrast to the President-elects attractive exuberance. The nation was unified in its anticipation for the new president entering office. The New York Times reported the greetings during the motorcade ‘appeared to be a note of jubilation that the day had come when the new philosophy was to replace the rejected theories of the old.’
Polenberg notes FDR’s first inaugural address was his most famous speech ‘not because it proposed concrete ways to combat the Depression but rather because it instilled new hope in the people.’ In his speech to the world Roosevelt characterized the epitome of true leadership. Hagerty of the New York Times notes:
Gone was the famous Roosevelt smile, which won him many thousands of votes when displayed during his campaign speeches. Not once during the delivery of his speech did the New President smile. Every sentence was spoken simply, but all through his address ran the note of the speaker’s conviction that the people of the United States had elected him as their leader and that they expected him to lead.
The people wanted a leader. Their hope and confidence in themselves and in their country was displaced. In his address FDR spoke affirmatively as a strong character that was able and willing to lead the nation out of economic stagnation. Eleanor Roosevelt said of the atmosphere of the inauguration, “it was very, very solemn, and a little terrifying… The crowds were so tremendous, and you felt that they would do anything – if only someone would tell them what to do.”
The rhetoric of the President’s speech had a major impact on the country. The new president spoke in a sure and definitive manner, arguing that the Depression not only could be, but would be conquered as he stated ‘this great Nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper.’ He dismantled the fears of America in his cry ‘the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.’ The psychological impact of such statements revived confidence in the nation. Actress Lillian Gish recalled during the inauguration FDR seemed “to have been dipped in phosphorous.” Walter Gifford, president of the American Telephone and Telegraph Company, was reported to have stated in the New York Times:
Under his leadership, with the will to win and the willingness of each individual to make necessary sacrifices for the common good, we can and we will conquer our economic difficulties.
FDR used religious connotations in rallying the people. He stated ‘the moneychangers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths’, with reference to Jesus rebuking those who had turned the temple into a gambling den. Further he called on the need for ‘putting our own national house in order.’ Such biblical references reinforced his image of leadership as he adopted the words of the Almighty. Written correspondence to the new president portrayed the religious impact his inauguration had on the national conscience. He was perceived by the American public as having not been the mere choice of an electoral college but was essentially divinely ordained for the presidency. Mrs. William Showalter wrote to FDR, “I am quite sure it was not a mere bit of chance that brought you to the office you now hold. I truly believe you have been sent directly by god to our nation, for such a time as this.”
Another Percy Viosca of New Orleans claimed:
I felt as though at this critical period of our Nation’s existence our God, as he had done before, had sent at the exact time, a man who possessed the prudence of a Washington, the intelligence of a Jefferson, the wisdom of a Lincoln.
FDR’s inauguration was more than an address it was a declaration of war on the Depression. He argued that in the creation of employment we must treat ‘the task as we would treat the emergency of a war’ and claimed ‘that if we are to go forward, we must move as a trained and loyal army willing to sacrifice for the good of a common discipline.’ Further he noted, ‘I assume unhesitatingly the leadership of this great army of our people dedicated to the disciplined attack upon our common problems.’ FDR stated he would work within the confines of the constitution but if that failed he would by no means be reluctant to call on Congress ‘for the one remaining instrument to meet the crisis – broad Executive power to wage a war against the emergency, as great as the power that would be given to me if we were in fact invaded by a foreign foe.’ One political cartoon sketched out FDR going towards ‘the battle line of the Depression.’ The New York Times in its description stated, ‘the inaugural address was a Jacksonian speech, a fighting speech.’
The President called for a transformation of a stationary government as he stated ‘we must act and act quickly’ and ‘this nation asks for action and action now.’ The NY Times noted, ‘“Action” was the promise of Mr. Roosevelt’s speech, and action was immediately forthcoming.’ During the speech stillness swept across the audience, as people tried not to miss a single word the President had to say. However, when he stated ‘our greatest primary task is to put people to work. This is no unsolvable problem’ the crowds applauded with joy.
The inauguration produced overall consensus throughout the nation. FDR was the instrument of national solidarity in 1933. Political cartoons following the inauguration depicted the President having the full resolved support of the American public. One image showed the President taking the oath while ‘John Citizen’ looks up stating ‘I pledge my faith in Franklin and my confidence in America.’ Another shows a man representing ‘The American People’ stating to FDR ‘every last one of us wishes you well – All of us want to help out in every possible way.’ One Sarah Love after witnessing the address stated to a stranger, “Any man who can talk like that in times like these is worthy of every ounce of support a true American has.” The North Carolinian responded, “I didn’t vote for him, but he’s my man, and any man who won’t back him now isn’t worthy of the name of an American.” The Los Angeles Times estimated that 400,000 people in addition to the 100,000 turnout around the inaugural platform congregated to welcome the thirty-second President despite the economic climate. The New York Times reported at the Capitol:
… The grass was hidden by a solid mass of men and women. Trees had men clinging to their branches, and the white rooftops of the chaste office building, which flanks the Capitol, were black with winter overcoats.
Americans from all four corners of the nation either watched or listened via the radio through one of the 178 American radio stations covering the President’s induction. During the week following FDR’s inauguration 460,000 letters and telegrams reached the White House depicting their support for the new President. Hoover had employed one person in the White House mailroom FDR required fifty staff. Not only did he have the fully-fledged support of the public, his inauguration heralded the unity of both Democrats and Republicans. The Republican Party prior to the inauguration also stated their overt support for New Deal initiatives in congress. The Los Angeles Times, a Republican newspaper, stated:
It was not the North, the South, the East or the West, which made him President; not the bankers, or the manufacturers, the importers, the exporters, the farmers or the wage earners. And most emphatically not the politicians. His victory was so overwhelming that he must have been supported almost equally by all classes and all kinds of people; his support had the widest geographical distribution and broke party lines in all directions.
The inauguration also presented an international importance. The Depression in 1933 was not only an American problem but was a universal disaster. FDR’s address was not just to the nation but was transmitted over the airwaves throughout the world. As the New York Times wrote:
England, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, South Africa, New Zealand and Australia are a few of the countries which have notified American radio headquarters of arrangements made to pick up the ceremonies… The set-up will be one of the most elaborate ever attempted for any event.
France was a major player within the gold standard and therefore held a great interest into the newly elected President’s policies and actions. As the Le Journal des Debats wrote, ‘the world waits not without anguish for his forthcoming actions.’ Further, in Britain all eyes were on Washington on March 4 as they welcomed his demands for action. The New York Times wrote of the media in Britain, ‘all published editorials are demanding exactly the kind of bold, fighting leadership which the address foreshadowed.’ While in Stuttgart, Germany a statement was transmitted noting “Roosevelt marvelous reception. Every word clearly understood. Forceful voice most impressive. Applause when national anthem was heard.”
In the 21st century as the world has witnessed an economic downturn, the speech of 1933 has been referred to as having present day political significance.
The media were keen in the election and inauguration of the forty-fourth President to emphasize the analogy between that of FDR and Barack Obama. Obama campaigned on the plaintiffs of ‘hope’ and restoring the confidence between Washington and the American public. Obama spoke with the Rooseveltian style definitive mannerism as he pronounced ‘yes we can.’ As The Guardian’s analysis of Obama’s inaugural address noted:
In an echo of Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s first inaugural, Obama said it was not the nation that had failed. The crisis was a consequence of failure of leadership, and the “greed and irresponsibility” of a few. The answer was to get back to work, with the government in the lead. It was a 21st Century version of the FDR’s New Deal…
In evaluation, the inauguration symbolized a ‘New Deal’ for Americans. The Depression was at its pinnacle premises on March 4, 1933. With the American spirit in a state of despondency the nation in unison turned towards Roosevelt as their last hope of recovery. The President represented a clean slate having not been tarnished with old administration and as newspaper articles indicated his admittance to office brought a new philosophy. FDR was able to rally the support of the country. Through the use of religious connotations he was perceived as having been divinely ordained into office and carried with him the voice of a prophet sent from the eternal. The address had turned a government of inertia into an active warrior ready to overthrow the wiles of an economic disaster. As a result the inaugural declaration in only 1,929 words became the answer of the prayers of the world, and war was officially sounded on the depression.
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