¶ … Inaugural Address of Franklin D. Roosevelt
The general tone of the President's speech is optimistic and assertive at the same time. He wants to reassure the nation that things will get better, and that is a top priority with his administration in addition, he lets the people know that the country faces "common difficulties," and does not talk down to the people or their problems. He puts himself on the same level as the people, which is another reassuring and calming tactic. He also ensures them that material wealth is not the only thing to strive for, and that the country is rich in many other things, such as spirit and democracy. It is also clear Roosevelt plans to take charge and make changes. He makes that clear in the speech, and says he is not afraid to take extreme measures, such as broadened executive power for a time, if necessary.
Roosevelt noted several problems facing the country that his administration was going to immediately address, including unemployment, a better division of labor, creating better relief efforts, and "strict supervision" of banking, so bank failures cannot affect the country so drastically again, along with increasing world trade. He also wanted a special session of Congress to address the ideas he had for getting the country on its' feet again. He also said that if the separation of powers could not ensure a speedy end to the problems facing the country, that he would ask for broad executive powers to ensure the policies went into effect as quickly as possible to help heal the country and put people back to work.
The line, "we have nothing to fear but fear itself" has become one of the most memorable lines in the speech, and in history. Roosevelt's optimism helped the nation get on with their lives and back to work by giving them faith and trust in the government. In addition, the speech is memorable because of its strength and power. It is clear the President plans to make sweeping changes in a hurry, and his powerful speech seems as if it would bring hope to a hopeless nation.
References
Roosevelt, Franklin D. "First Inaugural Address (1932)."
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