Selma
- Did Roosevelt’s upbringing, background, and character make it easy for him to understand the concern’s and fears of ordinary Americans? Explain your answer.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, born in 1882, is famed to be one of the most distinguished presidents in American history. Born in an exceptionally wealthy family and also bearing the name Roosevelt; he was naturally recognized to be of noble descent which both inspired a promising career and prevented him from being properly exposed to the suffering and hardship faced by many of the common people in that moment in time. His strong determination, enthusiasm and charisma, he would soon realize, not only helped him to overcome his shock case of Polio but also helped him to understand the obstacles faced by ordinary citizens which in turn brought him to be the most popular president among Americans as we know it.
Nephew of the great Theodore himself, Roosevelt was taught at a young age that it was his duty to help those underprivileged. However, Roosevelt continued to indulge in his private lifestyle, where he enjoyed interests ranging from sailing to polo. Growing up on an 188-acre Roosevelt estate with his own governess also meant that he had the chance to enjoy many luxuries many others did not receive. He then moved on to studying law at Harvard in 1910 and had his first proper encounter with Politics. With little desire to succeed academically, he performed badly at school as he had always the reassurance of his great wealth that awaited him back home. Nevertheless his affluent background guaranteed him a good job such as working for a big New York law firm, but once again lack of incentive overpowered him and made it difficult for him to understand what it was like for the millions of Americans each day who worked miserably in order to provide for their families.