Franklin D. Roosevelt and Ww11

To Americans in the 1930s Roosevelt was an Icon of hope. He had guided America out of the great depression and went on to whip the Nazis. To the younger generation of Americans he was the only president they had ever known.

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Practically worshiped by generations of Americans, sixty five years after Roosevelt’s death, he like Washington and Lincoln appeared before him, was less a saint than a flawed human being. He was first of all a politician. Maybe the greatest one in America’s history. And like all politician he made bargains. Although African Americans voted for him in great numbers, FDR’s thoughts on blacks in America was confused. The first lady, Eleanor consistently pushed for social equality for all minority groups but the army remained segregated. Although African American did reach higher ranks.

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In the beginning Nazis received little more than a weak condemnation even though it’s now clear than FDR knew about the treatment of Jews in Germany and elsewhere in Europe. It’s clear that saving the Jews was not a critical issue for war planners. Also, the matter of Pearl Harbor where two thousand Americans died that might have been saved, will not go away. Thoughts are that  FDR’s military advisers underestimated the ability of the Japanese to reach Hawaii , and exaggerated the strength of the military to defend itself against attack. The internment of Japanese-Americans is another stain on Roosevelt and the entire nation.

In his private life FDR was later shown to have carried on a long term relationship with Lucy Rutherford. Which would have brought him down, if known. But contrary to what has befallen politicians in recent times, no stories ever appeared in photographs, films, or print about Roosevelt and Rutherford. He was protected by the press and Secret Service, just as John F. Kennedy was for sexual behavior far more indiscreet and dangerous than Roosevelt’s love affair was.

Just as Washington was the indispensable man in his time, so was Roosevelt in his time of the great depression and war. Despite his flaws, was there another man in America who could have accomplished what FDR did? He knew that a failure to improve the nations economic health might mean victory for the forces of racism and militarism that produced different leaders in other countries. Few presidents held the near dictatorial power Roosevelt had during the depression and war. The same economic situation that brought Roosevelt to power also brought Hitler and Mussolini, these mad men with visions of world conquest, who ruled brutal, racist, police states. Roosevelt was far from sainthood. But consider the alternative.

On April 12, 1945 President Roosevelt suffered a cerebral hemorrhage at his retreat in Warm Springs, Georgia where he was staying with his long time mistress, Lucy Rutherford. His death left the nation grief stricken and disoriented. Even the Japanese sent a sympathetic message.

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