7.1.3+Fireside+Chats

=Impact of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats"=

When Roosevelt had taken office, the nation was in the tight grip of what was then the worst depression the United States had ever experienced. Hoover's policies before he had left office were largely ineffective, leaving the nation wanting more. FDR's impressive election victory in November 1932 (472-59 Electoral Vote) demonstrated America's longing for change.

Below you see your activity for today. If you get started right away, you will finish within the hour. If you dawdle or waste time, you will not be able to complete this activity this hour and will need to take it home (if this occurs, note that I have mp3 download links to the audio to acquire before leaving school). Your activity begins below with "Task 1".

Task 1
Listen to Fireside Chat 1 (below) that was broadcast into the living rooms across America on March 12, 1933. Note that this was just a week after Roosevelt's inauguration. Follow along using the transcript that I have linked as both a Pages document and a PDF. While you listen, imagine sitting on the couch in or on the floor of your living room listening to the radio. For the first time, you are able to hear the voice of the President of the United States speaking to you as if he were there.

Fireside Chat 1: On the Banking Crisis (March 12, 1933)
media type="custom" key="8361800" [|Right-click to download mp3] [|Fireside Chat 1 Transcript] ([|pdf])

Task 2
Consider the impact the address, that "chat" by the fireside, had on Americans. To take a closer look complete the handout called, "[|Letters From Listeners.pages]". I'll be grading this on Monday.

Task 3
As you have read, President Roosevelt issued in several reforms in his first term that many Americans disagreed with, some on grounds of constitutionality. The Supreme Court heard arguments against some of the actions that Roosevelt felt very strongly about. He responded with a plan to assist the "burdened" Justices and change the consistency of the Court, though critics suggested he was going to "pack" the Court and turn decisions in his favor. Listen to "Fireside Chat 9" below and follow along with the transcript of FDR's justification of his Supreme Court plans.

Fireside Chat 9: On "Court-Packing" (March 9, 1937)
media type="custom" key="8361802" [|Right-click to download mp3] [|Fireside Chat 9 Transcript] ([|pdf])

Developed with help from Edsitement. Audio from the Miller Center for Public Affairs, University of Virginia.