Why was Franklin Roosevelt such a successful President? What role did Eleanor Roosevelt play? How did she redefine the role of 'First Lady'?

Apart from having a character ideally suited to the requirements of a leader of his era,

Roosevelt was also one of the first media orientated Presidents. His radio broadcasted 'Fireside chats' were hugely popular with the nation. Saul Bellow remembered: 'through lit windows, families could be seen sitting at their kitchen table or gathered in the parlour listening to the radio. Under Elm trees, drivers had pulled over, parking bumper to bumper, and turned on the radio to hear Roosevelt. They had rolled down the windows and opened the car doors. Everywhere the same voice. You could follow without missing a word as you strolled by'. (Time magazine ).

These fireside chats, despite being held only once or twice a year, must have given the people a sense that they were informed, and in turn respected and in control. During the Coolidge era many people had bought radio sets, but the concept of media relations was still in it's infancy. Roosevelt was very much a pioneer In that field.

Roosevelt also developed the concept of the press conference; he held nearly 1000 in his Presidency. As he was able to operate without having had vetted questions presented beforehand, this must surely have indicated a man confident of his own intellectual abilities. In modern times Presidents spend vast amounts on media consultants and press relations; Roosevelt seems able to have had an innate aptitude for this.

As well as being a natural leader, imbued with both charm and self belief, Roosevelt was fortunate to have been in the right place at the right time. When Roosevelt campaigned for Presidency, there were doubts whether capitalism and democracy could survive the Depression; Stalinism in the USSR and the rise of the Nazi party in Germany show evidence for this concern. Theologian Reinhold Niebuhr was particularly concerned with the 'threat' from the Communist party: 'Capitalism is dying.. Let no-one delude himself by hoping for reform within'. (Time Magazine 100). In fact, by combining to some extent the national control of a dictator with philanthropy, humanitarianism and a belief in Democracy, Roosevelt maintained the 'American Way'.

As well as having the right personality and the right situation for such a successful career, Roosevelt had one major asset- his Wife.

Eleanor Roosevelt was the fifth cousin of Franklin, orphaned at ten and educated at a progressive French school, where she spent time performing social work. She married in 1905 and had six children, although the third sadly died aged about seven months. At this time, Eleanor's life revolved around her Husband- first supporting his legal studies, then his political career- and dealing with his Mother Sara, who exerted much control over the family. In 1918 Eleanor discovered Roosevelt was having an affair, but was persuaded not to leave him. However, although this may well have affected the intimacies of their relationship, they remained exceptionally close allies. As Eleanor stated, 'It was a wife's duty to be interested in whatever interested her Husband, whether it was politics, books or a particular dish for dinner' (women history.about.com).

Eleanor, however, was far more than 'just' a wife. As the children grew, so did her role in the Country. The women of the depression needed a role model who had achieved their dream of security, whilst still being approachable. Eleanor's appearance had been a cause of sadness in her life, but it was perhaps this that endeared her to American womanhood: she had many things certainly, but not she was not perfect.

Eleanor exceeded in her role as supportive home maker and politician's wife 'I would accompany my husband on some of the campaign trips' (My Day, October 21st, 1960), but somehow she appeared to have a vision of the future beyond even the seemingly radical politics of her Husband. In an America still largely segregated, especially in the South, she said 'It is neither unusual nor new for me to have Negro friends' (Womenshistory.about.com).

Eleanor gradually became the compassionate face of the American Presidency. She was well known for her Humanitarian outlook, and gradually people began to see this as part of the role of First Lady.

There is some belief that Eleanor was the first modern 'First Lady', however evidence suggests the Eleanor didn't see it that way, and certainly never intended it to be so- ' Campaign behaviour for wives: always be on time. Do as little talking as humanly possible. Lean back in the parade car so everybody can see the President'. (Womens history.about.com). These were hardly the words of a radical feminist. Yet Eleanor did believe women had a contribution to make: 'the great decisions are originated and given form in bodies made up wholly of men, or so completely dominated by them that whatever of special value women have to offer is shunted aside without expression' (women history.about.com).

History seems to indicate that Eleanor acted as a bridge across the river of male domination of power. She did not achieve great power herself (although she did have great influence), but she paved the way for the Jackie Kennedy and Hilary Clinton's to come. She did not necessarily acknowledge this herself; indeed she felt that the greater influence of the American Presidential family in politics was a shame. 'And I hope that we will return to the old and rather pleasanter way of looking upon White House families as people who have a right to their own lives' (My Day,, October 21st, 1960).

Of course, time never goes backwards: today First Ladies are still utilised as a campaign tool. However, they are not the domestic Goddesses of Eleanor's era either- modern First Ladies often have a successful career of their own.

It would seem that Eleanor and Franklin Delano Roosevelt, although not the perfect couple, (he was unfaithful until his death, and she was widely rumoured to be having a lesbian affair with a journalist (www.lesbian life.com)), they were the perfect political team. He was the great leader, oozing charisma and confidence: she was the humanitarian support act, making sure the marginalized were considered, and managing to see the statistics of poverty as individual people in need of help. He gave her the power to change lives; she gave him the credibility to seem great.

However, we must not forget that both Eleanor and Franklin owed a debt to the fortunate era of their existence. Franklin happened to be politically mobile when a charming leader was required; Eleanor happened to be present at the dawn of both American feminism and racial tolerance, and to be a humanitarian at a time of great need. Had they been born at an earlier time in history, their particular brand of politics may have been viewed very differently indeed.

To conclude, if I had to choose one word to sum up the root cause of Eleanor and Franklin's success, I would choose 'confidence'. Franklin managed to propose radical measures and deal with failures because he believed in himself. America may indeed have been saved by the War, but Franklin had the confidence to halt the escalating Depression, if not reverse it. As for Eleanor, as she said, 'the future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dream' (Womenshistory.about.com).

Word Count:

711

Bibliography:

WWW.Womenshistory.about.com/library/qu/blurrier.htm, November 27th 2004

WWW.Time.com/time/time100/leaders/profile/fdr2.html, November 27th 2004

WWW.Poppolitics.com/articles/2000-06-19-presidents.shtm, November 27th 2004

WWW.lesbianlife.about.com, November 27th 2004

Clements Peter, Prosperity, Depression and the New Deal (second edition), Hodder and Stoughton, London, 2001