Changes

We have learned that failures in the economy often determine the outcome in the presidential election, as in 2008.  The presidential election in 1932 was no different:  the Great Depression resulted in a complete transfer from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, and Democratic Party candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the election.  The Democratic Party also won a huge number of seats in Congress:  90 seats in the House and 13 seats in the Senate.  FDR took his victory as a "mandate" to enact sweeping new legislation in order to lift the country out of the depression.  In a nutshell, President Roosevelt (who is often called simply "FDR") started massive federal works and relief programs, and refused to let retire from the presidency after two terms as every other president did (beginning with George Washington).

We have learned that failures in the economy often determine the outcome in the presidential election, as in 2008.  The presidential election in 1932 was no different:  the Great Depression resulted in a complete transfer from the Republican Party to the Democratic Party, and Democratic Party candidate Franklin Delano Roosevelt won the election.  The Democratic Party also won a huge number of seats in Congress:  90 seats in the House and 13 seats in the Senate.  FDR took his victory as a "mandate" to enact sweeping new legislation in order to lift the country out of the depression.  In a nutshell, President Roosevelt (who is often called simply "FDR") started massive federal works and relief programs, and refused to let retire from the presidency after two terms as every other president did (beginning with George Washington).

President Roosevelt was paralyzed from contracting polio as an adult, but his physical handicap was hidden from the public.  The media heavily promoted President Roosevelt and boosted his popularity above what it would have been otherwise.

President Roosevelt had been previously paralyzed as an adult by contracting polio (probably while swimming), but his physical handicap was hidden from the public.  The media heavily promoted President Roosevelt and boosted his popularity above what it would have been otherwise.

FDR's aggressive legislative program became known as the "New Deal," a term that is synonymous with expanded government programs supposedly to help the economy and the unemployed.  The New Deal consists of new laws (legislation) and gave jobs to people.  Critics of the New Deal point out that if the jobs were really needed, then free enterprise (private companies) would be doing it already.

FDR's aggressive legislative program became known as the "New Deal," a term that is synonymous with expanded government programs supposedly to help the economy and the unemployed.  The New Deal consists of new laws (legislation) and gave jobs to people.  Critics of the New Deal point out that if the jobs were really needed, then free enterprise (private companies) would be doing it already.