LAD #33: FDR's First Inaugural Address

In his first address, FDR acknowledges that he will commence his presidency while facing a long and difficult journey through the crisis that is the economic depression. He claimed that although the issue loomed over the country, it was not as devitalizing as the people believed. He was confident in his belief that "the only thing America had to fear was fear itself." The hope that was present during his speech was also prevalent throughout his presidency. Although some thought that FDR was foolishly hopeful, he was in fact a realist, and he clearly recognized the poor state of the economy which left families without savings, farmers without markers, industry without trade, and men without any hope of reclaiming the money lost in the stock market crash. Roosevelt did not criticize these men for focusing on personal wealth, but instead insisted that the ethics of the country mut change to benefit many. He followed through on this ideology by employing more people, redistributing the population from overcrowded cities, raising the value of agricultural goods, and reducing the cost of federal, state, and local gov'ts. To finish off his speech, FDR adds on to his policy of collective action and self-sacrifice. He ends his speech with confidence, looking towards  the future with a pragmatic sense of optimism.