how did FDR, the president durring the Great Depression use radio to restore American confidence in their.....

Question

(finishing question) ...........government and economy?

Answer 1

FDR started a series called "Fireside Chats" where he talked to the American people every Sunday via radio. He made people feel a part of what was happening, talked to them about their shared sacrifices etc. That's the first time a president had really communicated directly to the people. Sometimes Eleanor would lead the address if FDR was away or what have you.

Answer 2

By using the method of the fireside chat, FDR tried to ease Americans in the approach of wrestling the Depression in a united front by Certain New Deal Programs which woulld resurrect the economy temporarily and soon there would be permanent progress if we stayed the course. Because the government did try under Hoover but not enough and by a tariff not helping because it crippled the European powers who was not getting reparations from Germany. FDR installed confidence in the government again by shoeing that the government cared for the common man by the principle of noblis oblige .

Answer 3

My father (who lived through the depression) said this was mostly bunk. He said that the 'fireside' chats did nothing to calm down the populace at all.

He said that given the fact that the depression lasted so long under FDR, maybe he should have spent more time doing something than talking on the radio.

Answer 4

FDR took to the radio waves to bring the citizens into his fold, thus calming and confiding in them. In 1933 he spoke to America about the banking crisis; in 1941 he assured the Americans we would be victorious in the war.

It was a wonderful way to include all Americans in the trials and tribulations the country was going through. He used stories, analogies and anecdotes to explain complex issues in simple terms so everyone could understand. Fireside Chats brought the country together and the president to the people.