Franklin D. Roosevelt: President During Depression and War

Who was President during the Great Depression and World War II? Franklin D. Roosevelt (often called FDR). Roosevelt served as the 32nd President from 1933 to 1945, leading America through two of its greatest crises: the Great Depression (1929-1939) and World War II (1939-1945). He was elected four times, serving longer than any other president. He died in office in April 1945, just weeks before World War II ended in Europe.

For the citizenship test, you need to know that Franklin D. Roosevelt was President during the Great Depression and World War II. Understanding his leadership helps explain how America survived these crises.

The Essential Facts

For the citizenship test, remember: Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was President during the Great Depression and World War II.

FDR served from March 1933 until his death in April 1945—over 12 years. He was elected in 1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944, the only president to serve more than two terms.

Key facts about FDR’s presidency:

• New Deal programs helped Americans survive the Depression
• Led America through World War II from 1941-1945
• Served four terms breaking the two-term tradition
• Died in office on April 12, 1945
• Founded Social Security and many federal programs still existing today

The Great Depression

The Great Depression began with the stock market crash in October 1929 under President Herbert Hoover. By 1933 when Roosevelt took office, the Depression had devastated America:

Unemployment: About 25% of Americans were unemployed. Millions had lost their jobs and could not find work.

Poverty: Families lost homes and farms. People stood in breadlines for food. “Hoovervilles” (shantytowns) housed homeless people in major cities.

Bank Failures: Thousands of banks failed, wiping out people’s savings. People who had money in the bank lost everything.

Farm Crisis: Farm prices collapsed. Farmers could not pay mortgages and lost their land. Drought in the Great Plains created the “Dust Bowl.”

Despair: Americans lost confidence in the economy and their future. The Depression seemed endless.

When Roosevelt took office in March 1933, America faced economic catastrophe. His inaugural address famously declared: “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

The New Deal

Roosevelt immediately launched the “New Deal”—a series of programs to provide relief, recovery, and reform:

Relief Programs provided immediate help to suffering Americans:

• Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Employed young men in conservation projects
• Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA): Provided direct cash assistance to states
• Works Progress Administration (WPA): Created jobs building infrastructure

Recovery Programs aimed to restart the economy:

• National Recovery Administration (NRA): Regulated industry and wages
• Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): Helped farmers by controlling production
• Public Works Administration (PWA): Built large infrastructure projects

Reform Programs prevented future depressions:

• Social Security: Provided retirement pensions and unemployment insurance
• Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Regulated stock market
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Insured bank deposits
• National Labor Relations Act: Protected workers’ right to unionize

These programs dramatically expanded federal government’s role. Before the New Deal, the federal government was small and had limited domestic programs. Roosevelt transformed it into an active force addressing economic and social problems.

Did the New Deal Work?

The New Deal’s effectiveness is debated:

Supporters argue:

• Provided essential relief to millions of suffering Americans
• Prevented complete economic collapse
• Created lasting institutions like Social Security
• Restored confidence and hope
• Built infrastructure still used today

Critics argue:

• Did not end the Depression (World War II did)
• Expanded government power excessively
• Some programs were wasteful or unconstitutional
• Created dependency on government assistance
• Increased federal debt significantly

What is clear: The New Deal helped millions of Americans survive the Depression and created the modern welfare state. Whether it was the best approach remains debated.

World War II Begins in Europe

World War II began in September 1939 when Germany invaded Poland. Britain and France declared war on Germany. The war quickly spread across Europe.

Roosevelt wanted to help Britain and France but America was officially neutral. Most Americans wanted to avoid another European war after World War I’s experience.

Roosevelt navigated carefully between aiding the Allies and maintaining official neutrality:

Lend-Lease Program (1941): America “lent” weapons and supplies to Britain and later the Soviet Union. This provided crucial support while technically maintaining neutrality.

Arsenal of Democracy: Roosevelt argued America should be the “arsenal of democracy,” supplying weapons to nations fighting fascism even if America didn’t fight directly.

Preparing for War: Roosevelt increased military spending and began preparing America for possible war, though most Americans still hoped to avoid fighting.

Pearl Harbor and American Entry

On December 7, 1941, Japan attacked Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, destroying much of the American Pacific fleet. The surprise attack killed about 2,400 Americans and shocked the nation.

Roosevelt called it “a date which will live in infamy.” He asked Congress to declare war on Japan. Congress approved overwhelmingly—only one representative voted no. Days later, Germany and Italy (Japan’s allies) declared war on America. America was now fully in World War II.

The attack unified Americans. Isolationist sentiment disappeared overnight. Americans rallied behind the war effort with remarkable unity.

Leading America in World War II

Roosevelt led America’s war effort from 1941-1945:

Military Strategy: Roosevelt worked closely with military leaders, especially General George Marshall (Army Chief of Staff) and Admiral Ernest King (Naval Chief). Roosevelt made key strategic decisions about where and when to fight.

Allied Cooperation: Roosevelt coordinated with British Prime Minister Winston Churchill and Soviet leader Joseph Stalin. They met several times to plan strategy and discuss postwar plans.

Home Front Mobilization: America transformed into a war economy. Factories produced weapons, ships, and planes. Rationing conserved resources. Women entered the workforce in unprecedented numbers. The entire nation focused on winning the war.

War Production: American industrial might proved decisive. American factories produced more weapons and supplies than all other nations combined. This production overwhelmed enemy forces.

D-Day and Victory in Europe: Roosevelt helped plan the June 6, 1944 invasion of Nazi-occupied France (D-Day). Allied forces liberated Western Europe and pushed toward Germany.

Roosevelt did not live to see final victory. He died on April 12, 1945, of a cerebral hemorrhage at age 63. Germany surrendered less than a month later on May 8, 1945 (V-E Day). Japan surrendered in August 1945 after Harry Truman (who succeeded Roosevelt) authorized atomic bomb use.

Four Terms and Constitutional Change

Roosevelt won four elections (1932, 1936, 1940, 1944), breaking George Washington’s two-term tradition. He ran for third and fourth terms because of the war, arguing leadership should not change during the crisis.

Critics argued Roosevelt sought too much power and that four terms were unhealthy for democracy. After Roosevelt died, the Twenty-Second Amendment (1951) limited presidents to two terms. Roosevelt’s presidency directly caused this constitutional change.

Supporters note Roosevelt was democratically elected each time. If Americans did not want him, they could have voted for his opponents. His four victories showed Americans’ trust in his leadership during crises.

Roosevelt’s Legacy

FDR’s legacy includes:

Transformed Federal Government: Made federal government much larger and more active in American life. Created the modern welfare state.

Social Security: Established retirement and unemployment insurance still supporting millions today.

Led America to Victory: Roosevelt’s leadership was essential to defeating Nazi Germany and Imperial Japan.

Allied Leader: Roosevelt helped create the alliance that won World War II and planned postwar order.

Four Terms: Only president to serve more than two terms, leading to constitutional amendment limiting tenure.

Expanded Presidential Power: Used executive authority more aggressively than previous presidents, establishing precedents for strong presidential leadership.

FDR is consistently ranked among America’s greatest presidents alongside Washington and Lincoln. His leadership during depression and war shaped modern America fundamentally.

Connections That Matter

Understanding Roosevelt’s presidency connects to American government’s expansion. The New Deal created programs and agencies that still exist. Federal government’s role in the economy and social welfare began largely with FDR.

Roosevelt relates to presidential power and war leadership. His wartime presidency established precedents for how presidents lead during national emergencies and conduct foreign policy.

Roosevelt also connects to constitutional change. His four-term presidency led to the Twenty-Second Amendment limiting future presidents to two terms.

For more on the presidency, see our article on what the President does in the uscis-questions category. To understand the Depression, explore New Deal programs. To learn about World War II, read about American involvement in the war.

Top 10 Frequently Asked Questions

Why did FDR serve four terms?
No law prevented it. Washington’s two-term tradition was custom, not law. FDR ran for third and fourth terms because of World War II, arguing leadership continuity was essential during the crisis.

How did FDR die?
Cerebral hemorrhage (stroke) at his retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia, on April 12, 1945. He was 63. His health had been declining for years from the stress of depression and war.

Did the New Deal end the Depression?
Debated. The New Deal provided relief and prevented total collapse but did not fully end the Depression. World War II’s massive military spending finally ended unemployment and restored prosperity.

Was FDR disabled?
Yes. FDR contracted polio in 1921, leaving him paralyzed from the waist down. He used a wheelchair but hid his disability from the public. He worked with media to avoid showing his wheelchair in photos.

Why is FDR on the dime?
To honor his fight against polio and founding of the March of Dimes, which funded polio research. His image was added to the dime in 1946, the year after his death.

What was Roosevelt’s relationship with Churchill?
Close allies and friends. Churchill and FDR coordinated war strategy and met several times during the war. They communicated frequently by telegram and phone.

Did FDR know about Pearl Harbor in advance?
No. This conspiracy theory has been thoroughly debunked. FDR knew relations with Japan were deteriorating but did not know when or where Japan would attack.

What was FDR’s political party?
Democrat. He transformed the Democratic Party into a coalition supporting active government, labor unions, and social programs. This “New Deal Coalition” dominated American politics for decades.

How many times was FDR elected?
Four times: 1932, 1936, 1940, and 1944. He won by large margins except 1940 (still decisive). His 1936 victory was one of the largest landslides in American history.

What should I memorize for the citizenship test?
Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) was President during the Great Depression and World War II. Know that he served four terms and created New Deal programs including Social Security. This is sufficient for the test.