President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first inaugural address, March 4, 1933.During the 1932 presidential campaign, Franklin D. Roosevelt promised Americans "a new deal." He pledged to rescue the nation from the grip of the Great Depression (1929-1939). Roosevelt--often referred to by his initials, FDR--won the election easily, carrying all but six states. In his first inaugural address, on March 4, 1933, President Roosevelt tried to rally the American people An American people may be:
n. A passage or segment taken from a longer work, such as a literary or musical composition, a document, or a film. tr.v. ex·cerpt·ed, ex·cerpt·ing, ex·cerpts 1. of FDR's speech, and answer the questions. Write your answers on a separate sheet of paper. This is ... the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from Verb 1. shrink from - avoid (one's assigned duties); "The derelict soldier shirked his duties" fiddle, shirk, goldbrick avoid - refrain from doing something; "She refrains from calling her therapist too often"; "He should avoid publishing his wife's honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive, and will prosper. So, first of all, let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself-nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror, which paralyzes needed efforts to convert retreat into advance. In every dark hour of our national life a leadership of frankness and vigor has [been] met with [the] understanding and support of the people themselves, which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give that support to leadership in these critical days. In such a spirit on my part and on yours we face our common difficulties.... Values have shrunken shrunk·en v. A past participle of shrink. shrunken Verb a past participle of shrink Adjective reduced in size Adj. 1. to fantastic levels: taxes have risen; our ability to pay has fallen; government of all kinds is faced by serious curtailment Curtailment The act of contracting or reducing operations of a company in the hope of bringing it financial or operational stability. This management technique is often used when a company has grown too fast and is unable to effectively manage its operations. of income; the means of exchange are frozen in the currents of trade; the withered with·ered adj. Shriveled, shrunken, or faded from or as if from loss of moisture or sustenance: "the battle to keep his withered dreams intact" Time. Adj. 1. leaves of industrial enterprise lie on every side; farmers find no markets for their produce; the savings of many years in thousands of families are gone. More important, a host of unemployed citizens face the grim problem of existence, and an equally great number toil with little return. Only a foolish optimist can deny the dark realities of the moment.... We do not distrust the future of essential democracy. The people of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. have not failed. In their need they have registered a mandate that they want direct, vigorous action. They have asked for discipline and direction under leadership. They have made me the present instrument of their wishes. In the spirit of the gift, I take it. Words to Know: curtailment: cutting back * mandate: command or support Questions 1. For about how long had the country been in the Great Depression at the time of President Roosevelt's first inaugural address? 2. What is the first thing FDR says he and the country must do? 3. FDR's declaration that "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself" is one of the most quoted lines in American history. What do you think he meant? 4. Do you think that statement is relevant today? Explain your answer. 5. What were some of the "common difficulties" facing Americans that President Roosevelt described? 6. In the last paragraph, what belief does Roosevelt say the American people cling to Verb 1. cling to - hold firmly, usually with one's hands; "She clutched my arm when she got scared" hold close, hold tight, clutch hold, take hold - have or hold in one's hands or grip; "Hold this bowl for a moment, please"; "A crazy idea took hold of ? 7. What does President Roosevelt mean when he says that the American people "have registered a mandate"? 8. Note the second paragraph, which begins, "In every dark hour of our national life ..." What other "dark hour" in U.S. history since 1933 do you think has been met with the "understanding and support" of the American people? 9. Do you think this speech is effective? Explain your answer. 10. Write your own inaugural address. What would be your first official words as U.S. President? 1. four years 2. to speak the whole truth and honestly face conditions 3. Answers will include some variation on the theme that the only grave danger Grave Danger is the name of the last two episodes in the of the popular American crime drama , which is set in Las Vegas, Nevada. This two parter was directed by Quentin Tarantino and was aired on May 19, 2005. the nation faced was being too afraid to attack its problems, thereby making the problems worse. 4. Students might say that the quote could apply to the war in Iraq, the current state of the U.S. economy, or the global war on terrorism Terrorist acts and the threat of Terrorism have occupied the various law enforcement agencies in the U.S. government for many years. The Anti-Terrorism and Effective Death Penalty Act of 1996, as amended by the usa patriot act . 5. Roosevelt said the nation was facing a heavy burden of taxes, a shortage of federal funds Federal Funds Funds deposited to regional Federal Reserve Banks by commercial banks, including funds in excess of reserve requirements. Notes: These non-interest bearing deposits are lent out at the Fed funds rate to other banks unable to meet overnight reserve to pay for services, limited trade, failing industries, and closed or and limited markets for farmers. Also, thousands of families had lost all of their savings and many people were unemployed. 6. the future of democracy 7. FDR is saying his overwhelming victory in the 1932 presidential election has given him the right to act boldly. 8. Answers may include times of war, such as World War II, or the country's reaction to the Oklahoma City bombing See Terrorism "The Oklahoma City Bombing" (Sidebar); Venue "Venue and the Oklahoma City Bombing Case" (Sidebar). or the 9/11 attacks. 9. Answers will vary. 10. Speeches will vary. |
|
||||||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion