Use the following excerpts from Roosevelt's First Fireside Chat to answer your essay question:
I want to talk for a few minutes with the people of the United States about banking —with the comparatively few who understand the mechanics of banking but more particularly with the overwhelming majority who use banks for the making of deposits and the drawing of checks. I want to tell you what has been done in the last few days, why it was done, and what the next steps are going to be.
I owe this in particular because of the fortitude and good temper with which everybody has accepted the inconvenience and hardships of the banking holiday. I know that when you understand what we in Washington have been about I shall continue to have your cooperation as fully as I have had your sympathy and help during the past week.
A. Why did Roosevelt feel the need to give this speech? Use specific examples from the quote to back up your claim. (3 points)
B. How were Roosevelt's Fireside Chats different than how other presidents had addressed the citizens of the United States?
A. Roosevelt felt the need to give this speech because he wanted to address the people of the United States about the banking system. He specifically mentions that he wants to talk with "the overwhelming majority who use banks for the making of deposits and the drawing of checks." He acknowledges that there are only a few who understand the mechanics of banking, but he wants to communicate with the majority who rely on banks for their daily financial transactions. Additionally, Roosevelt mentions the "inconvenience and hardships of the banking holiday" that people have been accepting. This suggests that there was a need to explain and justify the measures taken during the banking holiday, and reassure people that their cooperation was appreciated.
B. Roosevelt's Fireside Chats were different from how other presidents had addressed the citizens of the United States. Firstly, he spoke directly to the people through the radio, enabling him to reach a large audience and establish a more personal connection. This was a departure from the traditional style of addressing the public through formal speeches or written statements. By using the radio, Roosevelt was able to convey his message in a conversational and intimate manner, as if he was having a direct conversation with each individual listener.
Furthermore, Roosevelt's Fireside Chats aimed to educate and inform the public about complex issues, such as banking mechanics, in a simple and accessible way. He recognized that most people did not have an in-depth understanding of banking, and hence, he used his speeches to explain the situation, the actions taken, and the goals for the future. This approach of providing transparency and clarity to the public was a departure from previous presidents, who often relied on intermediaries or official statements to communicate with the public.
Overall, Roosevelt's Fireside Chats were characterized by their informality, directness, and aim to educate and reassure the public. These qualities set them apart from the more formal and distant communication style of previous presidents.