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| FDR after giving a fireside chat |
On the whole, the public did like it. Isolationists were furious, but most people felt the speech made the U.S. look strong without committing the nation to any action that might lead to a war. Americans were aware of problems overseas, and mostly wanted to stay out of them, but they also wanted to send a strong message that no hostile nation had better try to spread the disease of war to the U.S. The Quarantine speech was part of FDR's comeback after the disaster of the court-packing scheme.
FDR was encouraged by this response. He told a friend that "as time goes on we can slowly but surely make people realize that the threat of war would be greater to us if we close all the doors and windows than if we go into the street and use our influence to help curb the riot."
But the key word was slowly. FDR knew that he was still mistrusted by many Americans, so pushing any more on foreign policy would be a mistake. When he gave a fireside chat a week later, the President hardly mentioned foreign affairs. Instead he focused on asking Congress to meet to consider some of the new New Deal programs he had put forward to end the Recession.
Test what you've learned about FDR's shaky start to his second term by clicking through these flashcards.
How did FDR start his second term?
With great confidence. He had won the election by a landslide.
What was the first thing to go wrong in FDR's second term?
The Recession of 1937-1938 began in the spring.
What caused the Recession of 1937-1938?
There is no one sure cause. Maybe the economic reforms of FDR's first term hadn't fully taken effect yet, or going off the gold standard and printing more dollars had hurt the economy, or the economic downturn was just a normal part of the business cycle.
Whom did the public blame for the Recession of 1937-1938?
FDR. They said he cut federal spending too much and too soon.
Whom did FDR blame for the Recession of 1937-1938?
Big business. He said business leaders were selfish and corrupt.
How many major New Deal programs were passed in FDR's second term?
Only three: the AAA of 1938, the Housing Act of 1937, and the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938.
What did FDR try to do to the Supreme Court?
He tried to add to the number of justices by appointing a new justice for every existing justice over 70 who did not retire.
What was the Quarantine speech about?
asking Americans to do something (FDR didn't say what) to keep aggressive nations from causing and spreading a war
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