Roosevelt and the New Deal - the 3 R's

President Roosevelt was elected in 1932 defeating Herbert Hoover in a landslide.  His entire campaign was about the Depression.  He summarized his beliefs in a speech now called "The Forgotten Man" speech:

"Throughout the nation men and women, forgotten in the political philosophy of the Government, look to us here for guidance and for more equitable opportunity to share in the distribution of national wealth… I pledge myself to a new deal for the American people. This is more than a political campaign. It is a call to arms"

In this speech, Roosevelt summarized the Democratic Party Platform that emphasized:

• Government involvement in the economy to help the individual

• More regulation of business 

• Emphasis on the individual rather than business or corporations

• Strengthening workers and workers rights (union membership)

• Federal spending to aid the poor, elderly, and working class.