* Patrick J. Maney, The Roosevelt Presence: A Biography of Franklin Delano Roosevelt (New York: Twayne 1992), &
* Frank B. Friedel, Franklin D. Roosevelt: A Rendezvous with Destiny (Boston: Little, Brown, 1990).
* I chose FDR as my leader to research because he was the man in calling the shots when the U.S democracy was on the brink of total destruction.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
“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 we have nothing to fear but 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 met with that understanding and support of the people themselves, which is essential to victory. I am convinced that you will again give support to leadership in these critical days.”
-Franklin D. Roosevelt,
First Inaugural Address,
March 4, 1933
There is so much to be inferred about Franklin Delano Roosevelt, better known as “FDR”, from this very speech alone. FDR, the 32nd President of the United States, served our country for twelve years and four consecutive terms and is still the only president to do so. At the time FDR took office, our nation had just entered its fourth year of economic depression with banks closing in nearly thirty-eight states, farmers uprising with violence to resist their foreclosures, and democracy itself was in jeopardy. With all the negatives surrounding the political system FDR, thru his charismatic speeches, unshaken confidence, and emotional intelligence, was able to restore faith in our democracy and provide the people with confidence needed to battle thru the most devastating of times.
FDR would define leadership as the ability to motivate others in even the most devastating times, and that he did. His ability to communicate with the people was outstanding, and thru his...