FDR's New Deal programs marked action rather than Hoover's inaction, and his ability to restore confidence in the American people is credited to pulling the nation out of the Depression. To what extent was FDR acting as a psychological therapist to a very depressed United States? Was his success more ideological than it was physical? Or was only seeing believing for the very disillusioned public?
Consider how some sick patients treated with placebos often are cured from their ailments even if they are not given any actual medication. Did the United States simply need a more positive outlook?
FDR was trying to maintain order during a time of distress. In FDR’s first inaugural address he stated, “ that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” He was trying to tell the people that there was nothing to be afraid of, that the people’s fear was irrational. It is true that many sick patients miraculously get better if they think they are given medication for their ailment. The mind is a very powerful mechanism which can sometimes give people a false sense of security. I think that even if the United States had a more positive outlook, there would still be the same outcome, the Depression. Whether the people reacted positively or negatively did not make a difference if FDR took money out of the economy rather than putting it in. Based on the actions of FDR having a more positive outlook would not have stopped the depression from occurring.
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ReplyDeleteI think that the most important thing that Roosevelt did was the aspect of acting in a timely fashion. When he was inaguirated he began immediately with implementing programs that spread confidence for the american people and created the agencies like the AAA or FERA. I also think that this was succesfull because he didn't loose any time. I think that what he did was both ideological and physical. Answering the last question the was proposed, I think that the US was given somewhat of a placebo. The US was so sick and tired of living like crap that the just needed a leader always there to enforce the positive message even when times were really rough.
ReplyDeleteFDR was acting as a psychological therapist to a very depressed United States because of his confidence, which brought positive impact to many Americans. Although his success was more ideological than it was physical, but the physical impact was also very positive and couldn't be ignored, it was not only seeing believing for the very disillusioned public because without positive influences and encourages and innovations, it is impossible for the economy to recover. Of course the United States didn't simply need a more positive outlook, actual actions should be taken and the public should focus more on changing the system and recover economy, but a positive outlook is always useful for people to do a better job rebuilding and recovering. It works even now :)
ReplyDeleteAfter reading this I do agree that this new positive outlook that helped the US pull out of the depression, but how far can positivity go? It isn't just magic. I do think that FDR's actions/policies helped to stimulate the economy. Not only did his programs in the New Deal give opportunities for workers/employment (which in turn stimulated the economy) but also his work outside the office in his fireside chats brought the nation together in a time where comfort was needed. So I think that both the positivity and the greater amount of work put into his policies combined to create greater success for FDR and his country.
ReplyDeleteI think by FDR being a sort of "psychotherapist" he definitely turned the Depression into something less dramatic and macabre. This would then in turn make people more optimistic about the economy, putting in their OWN money rather than having the federal government go into debt and do it. I don't think this positive outlook saved everyone from the depression but it helped alleviate its chaotic paranoid part of it; it helped quicken the economies recovery. What needs to be realized is that PEOPLE drive the economy and without these people that put money into it, we would fail. We need more people pushing the cart rather than sitting in it and that can't be achieved if the outlook is so negative.
ReplyDeleteI definitely agree with Lauren on this question. The Depression happened so fast that it was uncontrolable, in this case even if the United States had a more positive outlook the outcome would have been the same. There might have been more order within America but the outcome would still be the same. I also definitely agree with Lauren when she said that "the mind is a very powerful mechanism which can sometimes give people a false sense of security." Also it might be true that patients got better if they thought they were being given medication for their ailment. The placebo affect proves even better that the mind can be the bodies own healing power. Overall I do not believe the United States needed a better outlook.
ReplyDeleteFDR's calm persona definitely relaxed the country into thinking this depression is conquerable. It made people think more rationally and doing what they can to help. People started using their own money instead of government going into more debt. Clearly the US needed a more positive outlook because once it was given, The US was able to get out of the depression. Yes it was gradually, but the positive outlook made people think it was possible therefor actually helping the cause. FDR made people feel more comfortable with spending their money which helped the country start spending money which is the only way to get the people out of the depression.
ReplyDeleteI think that if you are dealt a hand that isn't very favorable or downright bad, that looking onto the future in a brighter and more optimistic view helps a ton. America was dealt a very bad hand starting with the great depression then the inaction of President Hoover, so when FDR promised immediate action they voted for him and he did do immediate action. I also think that the Quick action he took with shutting down the banks and passing the Emergency Banking Act and a ton load more Acts after that helped assert FDR's role as the Doctor with the right prescription. I also think that the Acts he passed were leaning towards socialism, but i also think that american people just needed a way out and went along with this socialistic view and actions that FDR took. I think that a lot of people would do the same in modern times with the recent economic downturn.
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