FDR: Transforming the Presidency and Renewing America

Description

One of the greatest American presidents, Franklin Delano Roosevelt built a coalition of labour, ethnic, urban, low-income and African-American voters that underwrote the unstoppable Democratic Party ascendancy until 1980. He led the United States through the second world war, sparked a peacetime recovery from the great depression and invented the modern presidency through his strong leadership and organizational style over four terms. Iwan Morgan takes a fresh look at this greatest of modern presidents, and shows how his leadership lifted the Unites States of America to the most successful country of the twentieth century. In lyrical, immensely readable prose, Morgan focusses on the ways in which FDR changed the presidency, to create a more modern version of the institution which we know today – an assertive, democratic executive which could meet the challenges facing the US domestically and internationally. FDR looks at the history of the Supreme Court in this period, FDRs unique ability to communicate directly with the people, and the legacy of these achievements. In particular, Morgan argues Biden's presidency harks back to Roosevelt's challenge - to transform America. Half Title Title Page Copyright Page Dedication Contents Illustrations Preface Acknowledgements Prologue: FDR and the American presidency Chapter 1: FDR’s pre-presidency: The making of a leader Chapter 2: Chief legislator: FDR and the Hundred Days Chapter 3: New Dealer: FDR and socio-economic reform Chapter 4: Economic manager: FDR’s political economy Chapter 5: Second emancipator: FDR and African Americans Chapter 6: Chief administrator: FDR’s institutional presidency Chapter 7: Constitutional revolutionary: FDR and the Supreme Court Chapter 8: Party leader: FDR and the Democrats Chapter 9: Communicator-in-chief: FDR’s public presidency Chapter 10: Chief diplomat: FDR as foreign policy leader Chapter 11: Commander-in-chief: Structures and strategies Chapter 12: Commander-in-chief: Arsenals and alliances Chapter 13: Practical visionary: FDR’s national-security presidency Epilogue: FDR’s presidential legacy – Truman to Biden Notes Select bibliography Index