What was the purpose of FDR's "Fireside Chats"? Were they popular and effective?

Answer 1

Apparently, people were greatly comforted by these oratory shenanigans, and these left a lasting impression on them. It certainly clouded many people from seeing that it was FDR and his loopy leftist ideas that kept the US in a long and severe depression that would have recovered naturally many years earlier without his meddling.

Answer 2

The Depression in full bloom and the reality of the World war required Americans to be at their patriotic best and like D-Day it would be the collective resolve of the common Grunt that would save the day!

To do this Americans for once and for all had to feel like they each and everone were part of a great family. FDR without trying to draw out any pity for himself did his best to be a Father to the nation. As Dorothy in the Wizzard of OZ from the same generation realized ," there is no place like home", and the Fireside warmpth from FDR's hearth became the center of America's heartbeat! They knew when the news would be bad but dad was a good man and so the average Joe tried to be just as good in his own way!

Answer 3

The presidential chats were to provide reassurance to American citizens who were concerned or overwhelmed with the economic situation during the Great Depression. They were informal unlike speeches from the Oval Office, or modern day press conferences which can be highly confontational. Among his supporters they were effective and popular. But his opponents would could find fault with anything FDR did.

President Jimmy Carter resumed the informal, direct-to-the-people broadcast trend during his tenure when the consumer inflation cycle skyrocketed out due to the oil crisis in 1977-78. I remember seeing him sitting in the Oval Office in his woolen cardigan sweater talking about energy conservation. Informal, but not very convincing.

President Reagan restarted the radio broadcasts with Saturday morning taped addresses to the nation. Presidents Bush #41, Clinton and Bush #43 continued the trend.

I think FDR and Ronald Reagan were the most effective communicators using radio broadcasts (For years, RR had his own radio commentary program sponsored by General Electric, so he was exceptional with that medium.) Clinton could have been except for his Monica problems which consumed his attention during his last 2 years in office. IMO, neither of the Bushes are very good as public speakers.

Answer 4

It was a way to communicate to the common people who were going threw a period a very little hope.

Many people felt the government had abanded them and left them to wither like the crops of the great dust bowl and the Wall Street fiasco that destroyed and left hopeless thousands.

This was a way to bring the President to the people, hearing his voice, feeling that he really cared about not only the country but the people who were on the ropes.

Answer 5

Do your own homework :)