How aware was the American public that President Franklin D. Roosevelt had polio and couldn't walk?

Question

After all, this was before television, and I imagine his administration kept this fact as hidden to the public as possible.
What's your source?

Answer 1

The American public didn't find that out for some time. The press was told to keep it under wraps--and they did what they were told. World War II was going on, and no one wanted the American public to think that our president was weak--which he was not--but it would have been looked at that way.

My source is tons of history books over the years, and parents and grandparents who were around at the time!!

Answer 2

FDR did an excellent job hiding this information from the American public. At the time, only those close to him knew about his condition. He wanted it to be kept secret, being unable to walk would make him seem less powerful and in control to the American people who were suffering a Great Depression and a World War during his Presidency. There was a lot of uncertainty about the future and America needed a strong leader, which FDR was. In today's world with round the clock cable news and the Internet, hiding such a fact would be impossible.

Answer 3

FDR's first act as President replaced into to close each and all of the banks in u.s. for each week so as that federal auditors ought to study the books and make sure which banks have been sound and which of them have been going decrease than. as a result, client self belief spiked as a results of fact the persons now knew which banks they could have faith. so a techniques as "packing the superb court docket" is worried, the form does no longer shrink the dimensions of the superb court docket. FDR had in simple terms been re-elected in a landslide in 1936 with the electoral mandate to proceed his regulations. He replaced into in simple terms doing the bidding of the persons. you're real related to the intense earnings taxes. They hit a marvelous ninety 4% in 1944. yet what replaced into occurring in 1944? Oh confident, a worldwide conflict. a worldwide conflict the place our national protection had already been compromised like no different time in history until now. finally, the reason that FDR "cozied up" with Stalin replaced into as a results of fact they have been on our component in worldwide conflict II after Hitler's ill-fated attempt to take over the Soviet Union. undergo in strategies the previous asserting: "The enemy of my enemy is my chum."

Answer 4

From what I have heard, they were not. He took pains to hide it for fear he would be considered "weak." He even had his aides help him to a standing position (which he could do with his leg braces on) to give speeches, or move him to a chair when he had company. Sorry no source, I think I heard about from documentaries, etc.

Answer 5

People did not know till almost the end. It was hidden and the reporters would not mention it.
Source : My Memory

Answer 6

for any public appearances his bodyguards wedged him between them so he could stand and appear to walk freely...while giving speeches he held himself up against the podium...he was afraid that foreign countries and fellow Americans would view it as a weakness.

Answer 7

pretty amazing hunh..... i'd say very few...especially the 20 and under crowd....be interesting to see how Someone in a similar position would do now...might would get some kind of sympathy vote

Answer 8

Most people knew....he kept it under wraps, by always being behind a desk....Cameras were on his good side, so you wouldnt see the cane

Answer 9

They were largely unaware. History is the source.

Answer 10

sorry no source but the population did not know at all.... i saw it on a documentary, and i just took it as logical to hide this info......