We have acquired a new set of conditions which we must seek to solve (1912) -- Is there a Jefferson on the horizon? (1925) -- Whither bound? (1926) -- The "self-supporting" man or woman has become...extinct (1929) -- The forgotten man (1932) -- Bold, persistent experimentation (1932) -- A new deal for the American people (1932) -- Every man has a right to life : an economic declaration of rights (1932) -- Social justice through social action (1932) -- The only thing we have to fear is fear itself (1933) -- To put people back to work (1933) -- You young men and women have a duty to your whole community (1933) -- Relief, recovery, reform, and reconstruction (1934) -- The average man waged a long and bitter fight for his rights (1934) -- I place the security of the men, women, and children of this nation first (1935) -- I promised to submit a definite program of action (1935) -- Our revenue laws have operated to the unfair advantage of the few (1935) -- This measure gives at least some protection to thirty millions of our citizens (1935) -- Popular opinion is at war with a power-seeking minority (1936) -- This generation has a rendezvous with destiny (1936) -- A true patriotism urges us to build an even more substantial America (1936) -- I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished (1937) -- The Constitution...is a layman's document, not a lawyer's contract (1937) -- There is little difference between the feudal system and the fascist system (1938) -- Remember that all of us are descended from immigrants and revolutionists (1938) -- If the fires of freedom and civil liberties burn low in other lands ...(1938) -- Democracy must become a positive force in the daily lives of its people (1938) -- Dictators are quick to take advantage of the weakness of others (1940) -- We are characters in this living book of democracy, but we are also its authors (1940) -- We must be the great arsenal of democracy (1940) -- We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms (1941) -- Our strong purpose is to protect and perpetuate the integrity of democracy (1941) -- A nation must believe in the three things (1941) -- Yesterday, December 7, 1941 - a date which will live on in infamy (1941) -- No date in the long history of freedom means more (1941) -- Tyranny, like Hell, is not easily conquered...(1942) -- We should never forget the things we are fighting for (1943) -- We, at home, owe a special and continuing obligation to these men and women (1943) -- We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights (1944) -- The right to vote must be open to our citizens irrespective of race, color, or creed (1944) -- We are not going to turn the clock back! (1944) -- We have learned to be citizens of the world (1945) -- Let us move forward with strong and active faith (1945).
Summary:
In just under three decades of public life, Franklin Delano Roosevelt rose to become one of the greatest orators and leaders in American history. As the longest-serving US president, he guided the nation through two of the greatest challenges of the twentieth century -- the Great Depression of the 1930s and the Fascist threat of the 1940s -- and radically transformed American public life. In doing so, FDR created the conditions that enabled Americans to make the United States stronger, more prosperous, and more democratic than ever before for generations to come. Through his words -- selected, annotated, and introduced here by writer and scholar Harvey J. Kaye -- we rediscover the liberal and social-democratic vision and promise that FDR articulated so powerfully. We recall Roosevelt's efforts to redeem the challenge of the Declaration of Independence and renew the promise of equality and life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. We see him empower working people and make life more secure for more Americans. And we are reminded of his desire to not simply win the Second World War, but to create a nation and a world committed to the realization of the Four Freedoms -- freedom of speech and worship, freedom from want and fear -- indeed, to enact here in the United States a Second Bill of Rights, an Economic Bill of Rights for all Americans. In this collection of his greatest writings and speeches, we encounter the words that inspired and encouraged Americans to remember who they were and what they were capable of accomplishing -- the words that helped turn a generation of Americans into the greatest generation. Now more than ever, we need to recall FDR's words. Now, when FDR's democratic legacy -- the legacy of a generation -- is under siege, we need to remind ourselves of who we are and what we need to do to make America freer, more equal, and more democratic.
This resource is supported by the Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act as administered by State Library of Iowa.