Roosevelt's upbringing, background and character did indeed make it easier for him to understand the concerns and fears of ordinary Americans.

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Assignment A

1)

Roosevelt's upbringing, background and character did indeed make it easier for him to understand the concerns and fears of ordinary Americans.

Roosevelt was brought up in a very wealthy society. He was a lonely child and had little contact with people. He was specially tutored at home, which lead to him never socializing with other kids his age. He was an only child and lived in a beautiful forested estate. He was extremely spoiled by his over-protective mother.

All the above mentioned factors removed him from the 'real world' and the real stress of living.

Although it might not seem like it, there were many other aspects in Roosevelt's life that would help him understand the concerns and fears of Americans.

The society in which Roosevelt was brought up in, taught him the spirit of service to others. He always felt like he should help people worse off than himself. This taught him to respect those below him as much as these people respected him.

A turning point in Roosevelt's life came when his father suffered from a heart attack. He was shocked, yet he never showed it. From this experience he learned to disguise his real feelings. He felt that if he said what he really felt, he would upset his father and worsen his condition. He could hide his fears and troubles from the American public, making him look like a strong figure, someone to look up to. It made him always seem cool in a crisis.

While he attended boarding school he was always looked on upon as an outsider. The other boys thought he was a lonely and sad boy. He didn't have many friends and spent his free time usually alone.

Because of being so lonely he understood what it felt like to be stranded and alone, just like the American public felt.

The most major experience in Roosevelt's life came when he was diagnosed with polio. His recovery went slowly and painfully. In the end, he became paralyzed from the waist down. He was very ashamed of not being able to use his legs. He thought it made him less of a man and nowhere near a hero. However, Roosevelt's struggle with polio helped him understand what it was like for Americans to struggle during The Depression. He was able to empathise with them.

Roosevelt was a very popular president. His background and life's experiences made it easier for him to relate to the American public and their struggles. To many he was considered “A true American hero.”

2)

In the 1932 Roosevelt won the election by a huge proportion. He won in 42 out of the 48 states that voted. This proved his popularity with the American public. His personality was his most famous trait. He was caring and really wanted to help others. He was warm and inviting yet still dominant. He understood the American people. He had struggled all his life so he knew what they felt and people could relate to him.

He promised American's a better life. People wanted action and Roosevelt was prepared to give it to them.

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However, it wasn't only Roosevelt himself that was responsible for his great victory in the elections. His opponent Herbert Hoover also contributed to his defeat.

Hoover's attitude was very different compared to that of Roosevelt. He believed that American's should look after themselves and not depend on the government. His beliefs made him very unpopular. People blamed him for the Wall Street Crash and the Depression.

After the Bonus Army affair Hoover's reputation became very low. The Bonus Army were unemployed WWI veterans who demanded early payment of the 'bonuses' which they were not to receive until 1945. ...

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