“The country needs and, unless I mistake its temper, the country demands bold, persistent experimentation. It is common sense to take a method and try it; if it fails, admit it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”
Leader. What does it mean to lead? A leader is expected to effectively and efficiently lead a nation or any group in peace or war. Burdened by duties, some rise and thrive. Others, corrupted by the power fall disgracefully. Yet, they all are leaders.
As 2024 concludes in a few months, it has been a tumultuous time for leaders. The year of elections, with not a single continent, except Australia, being spared of harsh elections. Results have led to new governments or less support for the previous ruling party. Polarisation and chaos have led to the fall of others. Just recently, Bangladesh collapsed with a series of riots related to the quota system. However, the most critical election has yet to take place. Amid the chaos, perhaps it is time to go back. To look back nearly a hundred years ago, before the bloodiest conflict of all human history, and the start of a new century.
Dawn’s Early Light
1882, Hyde Park, New York. A young Franklin Delano Roosevelt is born. Scion to not one, but three major families of New York - the Roosevelts, Aspinwalls and Delanos. He was homeschooled till the age of 14, and then sent to an elite boarding school. The young Roosevelt had a very privileged childhood, but was uninteresting as a student or athlete. He would attend Harvard College for his degree, where he had fairly average grades but was active in social clubs. His most notable achievement would be during his graduate year, where he would become the editor-in-chief of the college newspaper, the Harvard Crimson. His immense work ethic and dedication would be seen here publicly. He would go on to start his career at a law firm in New York, a job in which he had no real interest or drive for. It would not be too long before he would delve into the world of politics.
Source: FDR Library // A Young Franklin D Roosevelt in New York, Dated 1889
Perhaps a testament to his family, he would be greatly inspired by a certain cousin of his. This cousin would have his own tales, from a sickly boy to an adventuring president. The energising and vigorous leadership of Theodore Roosevelt would greatly inspire a college-going Roosevelt. He would receive support from his cousin despite their party differences - Theodore belonging to the Republicans and Franklin to the Democrats. His rise from senator to governorship would be riddled with challenges. He would be known as an insurgent in the Democratic Party, going against the wishes of the decision making Tammany Hall. His support of Woodrow Wilson would also land him as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy, in which the reforms he laid would lead to a strong support from Navy veterans. Another thing which would stick with his entire life would be the armament and expansion of the armed forces. Unlike Woodrow Wilson and the prominent isolationism supporters, Roosevelt would always ensure that the United States would be armed and ready, and only act after being acted upon. As Governor of New York, his progressive policies as the governor of New York to save employment and livelihoods of farmers and the poor would be the start of his forward-thinking, progressive, and possibly socialist ideals. This would be the start of his strong support from the unions and workers that built the United States.
During his college days. Despite having several children, he would soon marry his cousin, Eleanor. Roosevelt would go on to have extramarital relationships that nearly resulted in a divorce - an absolute wreck for any politician for the early 20th century. However, in a surprising move, the couple decided that they would remain together, albeit living separately. Eleanor would support her husband’s progressive moves, and continuously pushed him to be more progressive. She would raise awareness and travel the country, when the polio-ridden future president could not. She would perform the role of First Lady dutifully, despite her husband’s frequent cheating. It would not be until near his death that she would return to live with him.
Source: FDR Library // A Young FDR with his wife and newborn
In 1921, he would face a disease that would wreck him for the rest of his life. Facing fevers, paralysis, bowel dysfunction, hyperesthesia and more, he would become permanently paralysed from the waist down, and later be diagnosed with polio. After quietly trying to recover through various therapies, he would enter the fray of politics once again with the illusion of recovery. He painfully taught himself to move and walk around in short distances, so that he could appear on-stage appearing healthy and well. Throughout the entirety of his life, he would be careful to not be seen using his wheelchair in public. While it was known that he did have a disability, all of his public appearances were always him standing upright or supported by an aide or son. He would ensure that his own health would come second to his work. His return to politics would be marked by the construction of hydroelectric power plants, the starting of the fireside chats (a tradition in which he would continue well into his presidency where he directly talked to the American public via radio), his everlasting fight against corruption and crime, and conservation efforts. Interestingly, these also mirror the policies of the adventurous, trust-busting president Theodore Roosevelt. [1] [2]
Last Gleam of Twilight
It was tradition that a president of the United States serve for only two terms. This was a precedent set by George Washington, and was never codified into law. Ulysses S Grant and Theodore Roosevelt’s attempts at a third term never succeeded. However, with the war in Europe looking ever closely dangerous, Roosevelt believed only he had the necessary experience to ensure that the United States was kept out of the war, and safely out of harm’s danger. In a rather concerning move, he would move the Democratic convention to Chicago where he held popularity, and where the loudspeakers, in the poor organisation of the entire convention, screamed in support of Roosevelt. He won 55% of the popular vote, defeating his isolationist Republican rival who warned that the re-election of Roosevelt would end up in Americans fighting in this European war. FDR had promised not to send in Americans to the war, as a response to this. With 2 terms of successful economic revival, strong support from the unions and socialist programs, it was an easy victory for the now unprecedented President.
From now, FDR’s sole focus would be on the war.
O’er the Ramparts
Roosevelt’s strategy was to give two people the same role, which would cause an argument. This argument would be settled by him. This was seen several times throughout his terms, however it was effective. An example of it was the clash between the Secretary of Commerce and Vice President over the purchase of war supplies in Latin America. Roosevelt would eventually strip their roles over this matter after it escalated to Congress. He would also maintain a strict and firm split between civilian and military matters. He would rarely interfere with military strategy, unlike most of his contemporaries. Military strategy was completely left to those with the proper ranks and experience to lead it, while civilian matters, such as drafts and procurement, were completely left to civilians. Roosevelt would set up a new military structure and set up the Joints Chiefs of Staff system to make final decisions on military matters. Diplomacy would also be conducted through his aides, rather than the State Department.
Source: FDR Library // FDR in 1942
FDR would famously deliver a speech, calling for the United States to serve as the “Arsenal of Democracy” to aid those against the Axis powers. The Lend-Lease program, where the United States would “lend” weapons to allied nations without directly interfering would be greatly expanded. Congress would also boost the military, a stark turn from the previously isolationist policy. FDR would be in constant contact with Churchill throughout these days reaffirming the support of the United States in order to ensure that Britain would not collapse. Eventually, this would also be expanded to support the Soviet Union when Germany invaded them in 1941. FDR would also have a diverse cabinet, crossing party lines. Important portfolios would be given on merit and competency, instead of loyalty and party. Mobilisation and procurement efforts would lead to an expanded executive branch, with many new offices and special positions created. A vast majority of them would be terminated shortly after the war, when Congress was worried about the over-extended reach of the executive branch. The United States would also follow a policy of Europe first, Asia second. However due to Pearl Harbor and the public, Asia was not far behind.
Roosevelt would also greatly expand foreign influences of the United States. From bases in Greenland to Iceland to combat the frigid Battle of the Atlantic, where Nazi U-Boats desperately tried to sink American shipping, to the support of Latin America. The FBI would train secret police of friendly nations, and pro-American propaganda would flow throughout the continent. Economic and cultural encouragement also greatly increased. Pro-German stations would be blacklisted and censorship was encouraged. In the mainland United States, friendly ties to Roosevelt ensured the continued support of the press to work with the government which did not require any special war-time censorship. The United States would also greatly support the Chinese with resources and manpower against the Japanese. The war time embargos raised against Japan, primarily on iron and oil, could be said to have directly led to their planning to attack Pearl Harbor and the invasion of East Asia. FDR would also start to pay close attention to the oil-rich allies in the Middle East. Just like his domestic policies earlier, the foreign policies of the war would have an effect on American policy making, especially by all Democratic presidents after FDR.
On the homefront, FDR would make another record by creating and signing the most number of executive orders - a practice usually only reserved for critical situations to bypass Congress and the House of Representatives. He would raise income taxes, at one point even executing a 100% income tax on those who earned over 25,0000 dollars (this would quickly be overturned by saner heads in Congress, a sentence which would shock most modern day audiences). Congressmen who traditionally held isolationist points of views became quieter. Unemployment was reduced even further than his previously massively successful New Deal policies. The GI Bill, which would support millions of American soldiers into receiving college educations, cheap loans, and cheap housing would start a new boom after the war. Roosevelt did however order an increase of investigations of dissidents and the forced interments of Japanese Americans. German and Italian citizens too were arrested.
A combination of economic warfare, from the mass-manufacturing of guns to cargo ships, strategic bombing campaigns to the heartlands of the Axis nations, easier access to loans for allies with not a lot of concern of being paid back (unlike Woodrow Wilson’s policies during the First World War) would eventually lead to the Allied victory. A series of conferences between FDR, Churchill, Stalin and other allied leaders would dictate the future of the world - from the splitting of Europe to the formation of the United Nations and the Security Council. FDR appointed men based on their merits - whether it be related to managing the mass manufacturing of equipment or military strategy or foreign relations, and not based on loyalty. His continued insistence on taking final decisions would also lead to the formation of numerous secret projects - such as the Manhattan Project- which was kept hidden even from the Vice-President and future President Truman. The 1944 election would be similar to the 1940 election - FDR would once again contest and win. However, as with all good things, they need to come to an end. [3] [4] [5] [6] [7]
Last Wave, O’er the Free and Brave
Source: FDR Library // FDR, his wife and their 13 grandchildren, shortly before his untimely demise
Like most self-respecting powerful men of the time, Roosevelt was a chain smoker. As he celebrated his birthday in 1944 with several heart diseases, he would continue to serve as president and be the front of the arsenal of democracy. With high popularity and continuous support, nothing could stop Roosevelt. From the fields of Europe to the islands of Japan, his policies support millions fighting not only in the American armed forces but also the British, Russians, Chinese, Philippines, French, Australians, and more. The famous Yalta conference would be his last meeting with the other leaders - Churchill and Stalin to discuss a post-war future of the world. It would be half a month from returning from the conference, that death would dare to step in his presence. With a headache causing him to slouch forward, he would go unconscious. He would be diagnosed with intracerebral haemorrhage soon after. His health, often kept secret from the world, would finally shock the world with his death. During the month of mourning, Germany would surrender and the war in Europe would conclude, with celebrations dedicated to Roosevelt. His legacy would be cemented as one of the three greatest presidents of all time - in the same league and breath as Washington and Lincoln.
Article by:
Amogh S Amblihalli
Head of Social Media
PES MUN Society, RR Campus
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