A lasting impression

The first hundred days of any president defines the rest of his (or futuristically her) presidency. It will portray whether he/she will fulfill their promises or be stricken with lethargy. Those initial days are imperative for making a good and lasting impression on the people and for gaining the trust and confidence of the nation. One such president who made an amazing impression on the country was Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR), the 32nd President of America. Now, more than 75 years later, the first hundred days of seemingly all presidents are compared to those of FDR.

"To this day, Americans still grade the initial performance of all new presidents against Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'First Hundred Days.'"

- About.com

FDR was able to make such a large impact on the people mainly because he entered the presidency in the midst of the Great Depression, when the country had seemingly turned upside down. It also helped that he was not Herbert Hoover. At that terrible time, the people had lost all confidence in Hoover regardless of the many corrections he had attempted to make. To them, any new president would be a new hope. The people were ready and willing to listen to FDR and cooperate with his plans. When he began to mend problems and fulfill promises without delay, the country became ecstatic with their new leader and allowed him to make necessary changes.

Within those first hundred days, FDR met with Congress and commenced the "New Deal" in which several acts, laws, and programs were set in place to get America back on track. He endeavored, and succeeded, to lower anxiety in the American people by holding a Bank Holiday, where all banks closed to keep people from removing their money. He also began several projects that would put thousands of people to work again including, but not limited too, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Public Works Administration. It was because of those strong primary days and the actions that took place that FDR's term was so successful.

"FDR's First 100 Days was indeed a model of presidential accomplishment."

- William Lasser


Although America did not fully pull out of the depression until the end of World War II, the people were calmed and brought under control because of FDR's eagerness to help. In addition to the provisional aid FDR offered, several of the acts, working positions, projects, laws, and programs continue to help people to this day. As William Lasser later commented,

"Some of these measures were temporary, but others (with various amendments and modifications) remain the law of the land even today."

I think the long term-effects of this deal allowed the American people to be encouraged and feel powerful once again. At that time, that sort of emotion was necessary to the people before they all packed their bags and immigrated to another land. I think it also enabled America to come together to fight and win WWII. If the people had been depressed, apathetic, and panicked (as they were before the New Deal) it would have been difficult for them to rally together with spirit and vigor to gain victory in the war. Even to this day, I think FDR's organization continues to give hope to those afraid of another depression and it offers ideas that could be useful should another occur.

In conclusion, FDR's 'first hundred days' were an imperative part of his success as a president. Because of the strength, alacrity, and persistency that he showed during that time America was able to pull out of the Great Depression, be led to conquer over enemies, and become a stronger world-power than ever before. FDR was able to leave a lasting impression and gain confidence of the people. The work and ideas implemented those many years ago helped the nation and they continue to give us encouragement and hope to this day.