Courtesy of Franklin D. Roosevelt Library
A New Deal for America: How Social Security Redefined Government's Role
FDR & The New Deal Vision
As part of the introduction to his presidency, FDR introduced the New Deal Programs to combat the Great Depression, a promise to the people of the United States that he would bring the country out of its current vulnerable state while arguing for more federal aid for the poor and unemployed, expressing his belief that the government is responsible for the welfare of its citizens.
"I see one-third of a nation ill-housed, ill-clad, ill-nourished"
President Franklin D. Roosevelt
President Franklin D. Roosevelt speaks at the signing of the Social Seruity Act, Auguest 14, 1935 - Courtesy of Internet Archives
FDR accused the Republican administration of taking “almost three years” to acknowledge the scale of unemployment, after first denying that it existed. After pressure from Congress, it approved federal aid. He linked the state of the economy to the health of democracy, arguing that prolonged joblessness weakens public faith in the system, while decisive government action proves that democracy can protect people in times of crisis.
"In the words our Democratic national platform, the federal government has a continuous responsibility for human welfare, especially for the protection of children. That duty and responsibility the federal government should carry out promptly, fearlessly, and generously.”
Franklin D. Roosevelt - Speech Before Democratic National Convention
Courtesy of Library of Congress
Works Progress Administration Worker Receiving Paycheck - National Archives
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"I am utterly unwilling that the economy should be practised at the expense of starving people."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Civilian Conservation Corps Spelling Exercises - National Archives
Courtesy of Library of Congress
"First obligation of the government is the protection of the welfare and well-being, indeed the very existence, of its citizens."
Franklin D. Roosevelt
Courtesy of Library of Congress
Courtesy of Library of Congress
"Where the State itself is unable successfully to fulfill this obligation which lies upon it, it then becomes the positive duty of the federal government to step in to help."
Franklin D. Roosevelt-Speech Before Democratic National Convention