The election of Franklin D. Roosevelt

President Herbert Hoover, elected in 1928, was a conservative capitalist who believed in free markets. Unfortunately, a worldwide depression, manipulated by international bankers, hit during his term in office. His advisors encouraged him to sign legislation that would give direct welfare to the people from the government. He refused because he believed that this type of welfare was humiliating and de-humanizing. However, he did pass legislation that gave relief to railroads, banks, and rural credit corporations. The media, which was controlled by liberal elitists, portrayed his “trickle-down” policies as insensitive because he would give government aid to pigs but not people.

Other policies that Hoover instituted to try to turn the economy around were criticized for not doing enough. The Hoover Dam was a huge public works project that provided thousands of jobs and still provides water to southern Nevada, California, and northern Arizona. He signed legislation to form the Reconstruction Finance Corporation which loaned money to insurance companies, banks, agricultural co-ops, railroads, and state and local governments. He also signed the Norris-La Guardia Anti-Injunction Act which made union membership legal nationwide and prevented federal courts from restraining strikes, boycotts, and picket lines.

The progressive ground had been plowed with the policies of the Hoover administration. The court of public opinion was ripe for more liberal policies and a new deal for the American people. Roosevelt was upheld by the Democrat party as a savior who would bring happy days back to the country.

The Democrat platform of 1932 favored the repeal of prohibition; attacked the depression (the implication that Hoover’s policies caused it); and proposed a balanced budget, social and economic reforms. Roosevelt’s charisma launched him into the spotlight, and he easily won the nomination.

The FDR campaign was buttressed by a “Brain Trust.” This “Brain Trust” wrote most of his speeches and went on to write most of his New Deal legislation. Most of these men were members of the Council on Foreign Relations, who were elitist bankers and businessmen who had much to gain from progressive policies.

The economy had slowed to a halt. Millions of workers were unemployed, especially African-Americans who had moved to the cities for work. The promise of a New Deal (hope and change) catapulted Roosevelt to a landslide electoral victory.