Amanda, a political science and English major from Fairhope, was a member of Freshman Forum, and of the HC cheerleading squad. She is a sister of Alpha Omicron Pi.
Adam, an International Studies major from Mobile, won the International Studies award. On the men's soccer team (R Mid - R Def), he also plays guitar and tuba, as a classic rocker. He travelled to Paris to march in the band at a New Year's parade, and in spring 2005, he worked on the FRAMP, a faculty-student research project on terrorism materials.
Tyler, a political science major from Lawrenceville GA, was Georgia all-state tight end, and played in #88, on HC Football's first string. In spring 2005, he worked on the FRAMP, a faculty-student research project on terrorism materials. In spring 2006 he travelled with HC to London and Oxford for seminars in British Politics.
Matt, a political science major for some years, works as a paralegal assistant for the law firm of Memory and Day, and is married to an alumna, Heather Embry.
Felix, a political science major from West Blockton HS, is a basketball player, active in politics in the Democratic party, an RA in dorms, and MANE volunteer of year. In summer 2005, Felix introduced his grandfather, the first elected black official in his county, for an award of the AL Democratic council.
Ryan, a political science major from Decatur, GA, is a baseball pitcher.
Al, a political science major from Enterprise, has won the Political Science award and appeared regularly on the Dean's List. Having played men's Soccer and tennis, he is a member of Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. In spring 2005, he worked on the FRAMP, a faculty-student research project on terrorism materials. In spring 2006 he travelled with HC to London and Oxford for seminars in British Politics.
Presidential Elections are America’s ultimate symbol of the political nation. The office of the American President was created to be a single executive able to wield power, and lead America to greatness. They are the figurehead of the country, known more widely throughout the world than even the oldest monarchies. In the History of Presidential Elections, much has changed since the first election in 1797. The election season starts sooner now, during the primaries where the candidates accept their nominations. Campaigning then ensues, where America utilizes its voter turnout, relying on its voter systems. The voting system that America uses now is called winner-take-all. This system of plurality voting is said to be fair, cheap, and simple to tabulate the votes. With this system in place, there is an alternative that could work well with the American policy system. The alternative is Proportional Representation. Three forms of this system: The List System The Mixed Member System Instant Runoff Voting, or Single Transferable Vote THE ELECTORAL COLLEGE Created by the framers as a way to fairly select the winners of elections. Each State has one vote for their 2 senators, and votes based on the number of representatives they have. To win, a candidate must secure 270 of the 538 Electoral Votes. Electoral Count Act “providing that if a State finalized any electoral controversy, then the Governor would allow the decision to be made by the Secretary of State; that if more than one return of vote should be made by a State to the president of the Senate, that one shall be counted which was delivered by regular Electors; that when the question is which of two election boards in a State is regular, that one will be recognized which the Senate and the House decide to be the one authorized by law; but if the Houses disagree, then the Electors certified by the Governor of the State shall be accepted; Electoral Count Act that Congress shall sit in joint session in the House of Representatives at one o’clock in the afternoon of the second Wednesday in February following the meeting of Electors; that there shall be two tellers for the Senate and two for the House, who shall receive from the president of the Senate the election returns from each State as he opens them in alphabetical order and who shall read the returns on the hearing of the joint session and make lists of the results and give them to the president of the Senate for announcement; and finally, that the president of the Senate shall call for objections in writing from any State for consideration from each House. (Congressional Quarterly, 2005, 744.)” Polarization of Politics Politics need to become less polarized. Campaigning must become ethical again. Gerrymandering must cease. The lines of communication need to be watched. And, Americans must know that their vote counts!
Points of Discussion Decentralization Government policies towards urban and rural workers Public opinion of Chinese Citizens A Brief History After 1919, there was a power vacuum The Treaty of Versailles was signed, giving land back to Japan. Chiang Kai-shek took over much of the South. A brutal war ensued between Mao Zedong and Chiang Kai-shek. Government Structure The top level of Government is organized under the Politburo. Jobs are divided up within the Politburo. 1. Preeminent Leader 2. Elders 3. Generalists 4. Functional Specialists Deng Xiaoping Decentralization The death of Mao Zedong brought about the rise of Deng Xiaoping in 1978. He began the process of Decentralization. “Eating in Separate Kitchens” A strong central government is more capable of meeting basic needs of people. The Government does step in when needed. The political factor is not given enough weight. Deng Xiaoping and the Rural Workforce Initially, the peasant framers loved Deng Xiaoping. This changed when the CPC Central Committee passed “China’s Economic Structure Reform.” Rural farmers were left with a surplus of output. Jiang Zemin Deng Xiaoping and Jiang Zemin’s Policies Towards the Urban Unemployed Unemployment was originally unheard of. The Government had to compensate for workers effected by the economic transition. They were divided into 3 categories: the Unemployed, the Xiagang, and the Newly Indigent Unemployed Workers started being hired only on limited term contracts. One percent of wages had o go to an unemployment fund. Unemployment insurance could only go to state enterprise workers. Xiagang This term refers to workers who were no longer needed but still associated with their firm. Workers were retrained in this program, then redistributed. Program was scrapped in 2001. Newly Indigent This was the name given to the urban poor who were unable to get a job. In this plan ties were severed with their former employer and they were given assistance. People who worked for firms not directly owned by cities were not receiving the aid. The Chinese People Public Opinion Collecting reliable public opinion data is not impossible in China. Average citizens were more willing to share their views than the wealthy and politically connected. Results were published in Public Opinion and political Change in China, by Wenfang Tang. Public Opinion (Positive) Highest rated aspect of life was family life and social life. Two-thirds of people interviewed were also happy with their freedom of speech. The people’s understanding of freedom of speech did not have to do with government structure. Public Opinion (Negative) The two biggest problems the average person had with reform was with the environment and crime control. A little over half of people surveyed were disappointed with their job prospects. People were divided over the issue of housing. Conclusion China is growing at a rapid pace. The country is still in a stage of self-discovery. There are some pressing issues that if not addressed could cause major problems for China. Improving government structure and resilience on the part of the Chinese citizens make China’s outlook seem more hopeful than not.
Worldwide Perspective United States views on the Death penalty compared to other countries The execution of Juveniles and the mentally retarded Protection for those facing the Death penalty History of the Death Penalty Colonial America The Early United States Statehood, Slavery, and the Western Frontier Alabama History Influential Court Cases involving the Death Penalty Woodson v. North Carolina Gregg v. Georgia Jurek v. Texas Roberts v. Louisiana Proffit v. Florida States with and without the Death Penalty Twelve states do not practice the death penalty Thirty Nine states do practice the death penalty with the southern states executing the most Public Opinion on the Death Penalty Is the Death Penalty Cruel and Unusual Punishment? Does the Death Penalty deter crime? DNA testing and the risk of mistake Methods of Execution in the United States Lethal Injection Electrocution Lethal Gas Hanging Firing Squad Lethal Injection Electrocution Lethal Gas Hanging Firing Squad What’s your view on the Death Penalty? ( Conclusion)
“Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005- Proponents Intentions and the Effects of the Act” Outline Overview/Brief Summary of Chapters 7, 11 & 13. Historical Perspectives/ Inherited Traditions. Major Changes in the U.S. Bankruptcy Code over the last half century. Bankruptcy Abuse Prevention and Consumer Protection Act of 2005 and its proponents, effects, and changes. Did the legislation accomplish what its authors and proponents thought it would? Conclusion Chapter 7- Liquidation Debtor files a petition for relief Debtor surrenders all nonexempt assets to Trustee Trustee sells/auctions debtor’s assets Creditors are paid from the money generated from the sale of the debtor’s assets Creditors are paid by “priority-distribution rules” Chapter 11- (Corporate) Reorganization Debtor files a petition for relief, listing all creditors, and assets. Creditors are stayed from collecting money from the debtor until a Plan is implemented. In most cases, the debtor operates as the Trustee of the case and continues to run the business (under court supervision). Debtor is required to file monthly financial reports with the court (allows court to supervise). Plan of Reorganization Ch.13- Adjustment of Debts of an Individual with Regular Income Debtor files a petition for relief. Designed to help debtors develop a repayment plan, learn how live financially stable lives and repay their debt. Debtors repay their debts over a 3 or 5-year court supervised repayment plan. Debtors repay more debt under Ch. 13 than they would under Ch. 7. (2/3 don’t complete plan- see “A”) Historical Perspective- The Early English system and traditions the US inherited 1542- 1st known bankruptcy law in England 1570- Debtor’s Prisons 1869- Debtor’s Act Major Changes in The United States Bankruptcy Code 1800- The First Act Bankruptcy Act of 1876 1898- first relief for companies against their creditors 1900-mid-1970s Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1978 Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1994 Bankruptcy Reform Act of 1999 BAPCPA ’05- Proponents and their expectations for the Act Lobbyists for credit card industry- Consumer Credit Industry House Report 109-031 on “Factors Supporting Bankruptc Reform” Senator Charles Grassley’s (Iowa, Republican) comments on the bill BAPCPA ’05- Legislative Changes in the U.S.B.C. Code Ch. 7 “means test” Ch. 11- mandatory pre-filing credit counseling Ch. 13- mandatory completion of debtor education class prior to receiving discharge Lengthened amount of time allowed between filings in all chapters (see notes) Automatic Stay (see notes) Additional Documents & Schedules- STUDENT LOANS Effects of the Legislation- Did it accomplish what it was “supposed to?” “About 95% of people who could have filed before October 17, still qualify under the new law” Barry Frost, NJ USBC Trustee. USBC, MDA Comparative Filings Jan. 1999-Dec. 2006 Middle District of Alabama Ch. 13 Sept. ‘04- Sept. ‘06 Middle District of Alabama Ch. 13 Comparative Filings Oct. ‘04- Sept. ‘05 Middle District of Alabama Ch. 7 Sept. ‘04- Sept. ‘06 Middle District of Alabama Ch. 7 Comparative Filings Oct. ‘04- Sept. ‘05 Lowest Bankruptcy Rates in 2005 (Households per consumer bankruptcy filing) *According to the American Bankruptcy Institute *National Average is 60.16 * “The American Bankruptcy Institute survey ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia.” Highest Bankruptcy Rates in 2005 (Households per consumer bankruptcy filing) *According to the American Bankruptcy Institute *National Average is 60.16 * “The American Bankruptcy Institute survey ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia.” Bankruptcy Filings By State- Highest in 2005 (Contents from derived from Table F, provided by the United States Bankruptcy Courts) Bankruptcy Filings By State- Highest in 2006 (Contents from derived from Table F, provided by the United States Bankruptcy Courts) Conclusion The United States Bankruptcy process and Code are unique and unlike any other system of debt relief in the world. The U.S., on the whole, has a problem with excessive individual/ consumer, and corporate insolvency problems. Credit card companies spent a lot of money to push the BAPCPA of 2005 through Congress and its effects were minimal, as compared to those painted by lobbyists of the consumer credit industry. Statistics prove the filing numbers across the country are back on the rise. However, the BAPCPA of 2005 is not the answer to the debt issues of individuals and companies (or small businesses) in America.
Objectives: To further explain the Political Phenomena of the military and economic strategies of the Israeli government.
- Policy Goals for Israel
- Legitimacy
- Peace
- Security
- Developing Commerce
- Enagement in International Projects
- Link with World Jewry
Legitimacy
- U.N Partition Plan
- U.N acceptance
- The strive for Universal Legitimacy
- Why Legitimacy is important?
Peace
- War of 1948
- The Six Day War
- The Yum Kippur War
Security
- Article 51 of the U.N Charter
- Early Israeli Victories
Developing Commerce
- Tourism
- Import and Exports
Engagement in International Affairs
- The inability to work with a consensus of countries in international agendas.
- Inabilities in UN sponsored programs
Links with world Jewry
- North American and Western Europe Jewish emigrants
- Jewish emigrants from other parts of the world
Israelis Economy
- The ability to retain traditional trading partners.
- Diversifying sources of supply and export
- The ability to enter “new” markets such as the Far East market.
- Trading Partners
- The European Union
- The United States
Diversified suppliers and The New Market
- China
- Other “new" suppliers
The Israeli Defense Force
- The Ground Forces
- The Air Force
- Special Forces
Ground Forces
- By the Numbers
- Strategy
- Important Battles
Air Force
- By the Numbers
- Strategy
- Important Battles
Special Forces
- Mossad
- Amin
- Shin Bet
Conclusion: Thoughts on the economic and military strength of the nation of Israel.
U.S. Immigration: History and Current Issues Overview Breakdown of history of U.S. Immigration by eras: Open-Door Door-Ajar Pet-Door Revolving-Door Storm-Door Including Important Legislation and Court Cases Overview Following Historical Breakdown: Look at current societal impacts of immigration both legal and illegal. Assimilation Economics Bilingualism Multiculturalism National Security Open-Door Era Founding of the United States until 1880. Immigration= Relatively Easy and Encouraged. “Old-Wave” Immigrants primarily from Northwest Europe. 1789 Article 1, Section 8 grants Congress power “To Establish a Uniform Rule of Naturalization” Open-Door Era Naturalization Act of 1790 – First official act. Two-year residency requirement Revised in 1802 – Extended to five years Became the Five-Year Residency Act in 1813 1819 – Began documenting all immigrants as the left their ship Open-Door Era 1848 - Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo – Citizenship to those remaining in Territory cede by Mexico Two Waves: 1845-1854 and 1865-1875 First- Predominantly Irish and German Second – Included British and Scandinavian Open-Door Era 1862 – Homestead Act 1868 – Ratification of the 14th Amendment 1870 – Citizenship granted to those of African decent 1 million immigrants per year = 13% foreign born Gave rise to fear and anxiety in native-born Door-Ajar Era Began in 1880 and lasted 1920 Rate of 1 million per year continued Shift to South, Central and Eastern Europe Know-Nothings and Ku Klux Klan led restrictionist attitude. 1882 – Chinese Exclusion Act – First piece of legislation aimed at a particular race or nationality. Virtually stopped Chinese immigration ten years. Reenacted in 1888, 1892 and 1904 Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 1885 – Foran Act – illegal to fund immigration of others. 1888 – Scott Act – extended Chinese Exclusion act ten years/ barred return. 1889 – Chae Chan Ping v. United States upheld Scott Act. 1892 – Ellis Island 1894 – Bureau of Immigration 1898 – Wong Kim Ark v. United States: Native born are eligible for nat. even if parents are not. 1907 – Dillingham Commission: Led to the quota acts of the 1920s Pet-Door Era The Pet-Door Era – 1920-1965 Pro-restrictionist groups pushed for quota acts: 1921, 1924, 1929 Immigration shifted back to Northwest Europe. Era of restrictive legislation Pet-Door Era: Quota Acts 1921 – 3% of pop. Of a country as of 1910 census. only 4 million entered from 1920-1930 1924 – Johnson-Reed Act – 2% of pop. Of a country as of 1890 census. Brought about shift back to Northwest Europe Barred most Asians – “aliens ineligible for citizenship” 1929 – proportion of pop. Or of each nationality for 1920 census. Only 150,000 admitted. Decrease in Immigration 1922 – Cable Act – women can become naturalized unless married to ineligible alien. Labor Appropriations Act of 1924 Established the U.S. Border Patrol Great Depression Immigration slowed dramatically between 1929 and 1939 1940 – End of Depression – Congress passed Registration Law and Nationality Act Required all citizens to register address annually. Consolidated all naturalization policy into one Act. Pet-Door Era 1942 – Executive Order 9066 – Japanese Americans to relocation camps. 1943 – Hirabayashi v. United States upheld “military necessity” 1944 – Korematsu v. United States allowed for excluded zones 1952 – Immigration and Naturalization Act removed racial and national-origin barrier. Revolving-Door Era Began with the Immigration and Naturalization Act of 1965 Replaced quota system with preference system Immigration in the following decade was up 60% Act was amended in 1966 to allow for more refugees 1967 Afroyim v. Rusk – Dual Citizenship 1970s – concerns over immigrants entering illegally 5.4 million immigrants entered 1978 – Pres. Carter – Select Commission on Immigration and Refugee Policy Recommended closing backdoor and opening front door. 1980 Refugee Act 1986 – Immigration Reform and Control Act (IRCA) Immigration Act of 1990 (IMMACT) Culmination of IRCA and SCIRP 1993 - NAFTA California passed Proposition 187 Claimed Illegal immigration was a financial burden LULAC et al. v. Pete Wilson et al. – declared 187 unconstitutional 1996 – Illegal Immigrant Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRIRA) Storm-Door Era Began in 2001 as a result of 9/11 terrorist attacks 2001 – USA Patriot Act 2002 – INS is abolished and duties granted to Department of Homeland Security 2005 – USA Patriot Act Improvements and Reauthorization Act Current Immigration Issues Assimilation Economics Bilingualism Multiculturalism National Security Assimilation 1st step – Naturalization process Pre-1970s – Strong pressures on immigrants to assimilate into the culture Large numbers – fear that immigrants would not form emotional attachment to new country Assimilation Assimilate by acquiring skills Naturalization – more job opportunities Proponents: Immigrants have no problem assimilating Age is greatest distinguishing factor Economics Pros: more workers create more wealth provide basis for S. Security and Medicare most still pay income and property taxes benefit from brain-drain of other nations Economics Cons: Immigrant wages are decreasing Create a strain on taxpayers and government Tax burden in most states: couple hundred $/yr Bilingualism Economic and Ideological detriment Single language unifies incredible diversity Multiple languages are inefficient Argument for: too many Americans are illiterate anyway Multiculturalism Distinct Culture Groups Organizational and Conceptual Borders Maintain ties to home country, thus no true American identity Proponents: Proportion has remained stable over the years National Security Major Concern recently – Became important in 1920s 7,000 miles of border Department of Homeland Security Struggle until recently Advances in transportation security Creative thinking to prevent attacks Summary and Review Five Eras of Immigration: Open-Door, Door Ajar, Pet-Door, Revolving-Door, Storm-Door Immigration: history of legislation Current Issues: Assimilation, Economics, Bilingualism, Multiculturalism, and National Security
Theodore Roosevelt and Franklin D. Roosevelt: Leaders Who Built a Superpower and the Modern American Presidecy
- Men of Action
- American Presidency can often be a frustrating office:
- Rigid institutions partisan fights, re-election.
- Many presidents do not make an impact
- TR and FDR left a long-lasting legacies on the presidency and the country.
- Each president came into office during very crucial periods of social upheaval and political change.
- Both had upper-class origins, confidence, and natural leadership ability combined with Progressive Roots.
- They can be politically analyzed, compared, and contrasted in several different traditional political arenas.
- Their most important similarity:
- They did not allow their decisions to be governed by fear of change.
Thesis
- TR and FDR were both presidents for whom actions spoke louder than words. They both came to office during times of great political change and crisis. They acted within the Progressive theme of the early 20th century but furthermore, it was their bold action during these times that eventually led to the creation of the modern American presidency and an American superpower.
- In accomplishing these endeavors both presidents created and strengthened the presidential roles of: chief of party, chief legislator, chief policy maker, chief administrator, commander-in chief, and chief diplomat.
Theodore Roosevelt
- TR Childhood
- Upper-class parents: both sides
- Not an ordinary child for 2 reasons one social and one intellectual:
- Wealthy
- Gifted mind and memory
- Childhood dark side: sickness
- Severe Asthma, near-sighted, and a nervous digestive system.
- Overcoming of sickness creates his sense of heroism
- Considers himself a “self-created character”
- Metamorphosis from thin sickly boy to model for masculinity.
- Commitment to politics and most important views emerged from his youthful struggles.
- Obsession with physical prowess showed main insecurity, his youthfulness.
- “For Theodore Roosevelt even more than for most people, the child was the father of the man.”
Early Political Career
- First position was nominated for a Republican seat in the New York Assembly: 1882
- Police Commissioner of New York: 1880s-1890s
- Assistant Secretary to the Navy: 1890s
- Governor of New York: 1898
- Vice-President of United States: 1900
- Other careers:
- Historian (War of 1812) (Winning of the West)
- Dakota Rancher and Cattleman
- Colonel of the Rough Riders: Answered his prayers and brought him the fame necessary to win the Vice-Presidency.
Analysis of TR’s Political Views
- New Imperialism: fight for colonies is now based on industrial rivalries and economic interdependence.
- Militarism: affected by father’s failure
- Rejection of Materialism and calling upon the people to aspire for a higher purpose (paradox: wealth)
- American Expansion and Necessary involvement in world affairs.
- Anglo-superiority
- Expanded federal government to control big business
- Progressivism: Idea that society should make social progress and that people’s lives could be improved sometimes at the expense of businessmen.
- Conservation of natural resources
- Trust-busting
- Cultural Advancement
First Presidency (1901-1904)
- President McKinley assassinated September 1901.
- TR spends majority of presidency battling for control of his party from factionalized party bosses.
- Thus, actual policy achievement was limited during his first term with some exceptions.
- He campaigned for re-election in 1904, in control of his party, promising America a “Square Deal”.
Second Presidency (1904-1908)
- 1904 re-election, he asserted his proven political power with a rejuvenation of activity and the high point of his presidency.
- Roosevelt Corollary to the Monroe Doctrine
- Manipulated Congress using three tactics:
- Great speeches to counter railway propaganda
- Gained support of Capitol Hill by bargaining with the Old Guard Republicans
- Played back and forth with the Senate among Progressives, moderates, and Democrats in order to achieve policy goals
- He achieved greater success in domestic and foreign policy between 1904 and 1907, but was stymied by his party, congress, and the courts during the last two years of his presidency.
TR leaves important legacy and affects FDR
- His greatest legacy did not come from his policy successes.
- He was a strong, influential, and bold leader.
- Experienced and confident politician who brought new dynamics to the presidency:
- Instead he pursued social advancement and deeper national loyalty.
- He fought class divisions and appealed to minority ethnic and social classes.
- He used the “whole government of the United States” to mitigate harsh social and economic conditions of his time.
- The most important task of a political leader is to educate the public and create a demand for change.
His legacy left an important imprint on the later Roosevelt President :Franklin D. Roosevelt.
- Young FDR mimicked his kinsman’s path: Assembly, Ass. Secretary of the Navy, Governor of NY, then presidency
- FDR had talent, wealth, and the experiences of his fifth cousin (“Uncle Teddy”)
- Atmosphere prior to FDR’s election in 1932
- 1929 Stock Market Crash causes the Great Depression
- Besides the Civil War, it is considered to be the worst crisis in American History.
- Who is to blame? Obviously the big-businessmen.
- The Great Depression turns focus of America “homeward”
- Apathy towards world affairs, despite Wilson’s warnings
- Isolationism characterizes American sentiments from 1929-1938
- FDR was Governor of NY and promises not to forget “the forgotten man at the bottom of the economic pyramid”
- The Nation is in need of bold action, expanded government for relief, and a leader to offer inspiration and strength
- FDR rejects all systems and dedicates himself to providing hope and relief for the American working man and American morale.
- The Great Depression
Analysis of FDR’s Political Views
- He had a keen ability to reject rigid political systems whenever necessary.
- His technique for liberal government was pragmatism.
- He respected clear ideas, accepted them, and used them but was always skeptical about their relationship to reality.
- The battle between New Nationalism versus New Freedom divided American Liberalism:
- FDR’s New Deal had elements of both
- Schlesinger quoted, “He had no philosophy save experiment, which was a technique; constitutionalism, which was a procedure; and humanity, which was a faith.”
- People began to believe in the free, welfare state, with economic stability, and social justice.
Franklin D. Roosevelt
- First Phase of FDR’s Presidencies
- FDR’s four presidencies can be divided into two major phases of different emphasis: one domestic and one foreign
- His first phase from 1932 to around 1937 was characterized by a desperate need for action on the domestic front:
- First New Deal and First Hundred Days
- Characterized by a high rate of activity, although courts struck down most of the legislation, the social effects of the New Deal are immeasurable.
- Later New Deal
- Social Security Act of 1935
- FDR versus the Courts and Congress
- Conservative strict-constructionist Supreme Court largely undid most of the New Deal’s policy
- Republican resurgence in Congress in the 1938 elections, primarily blocked his reform attempts and this brought an end to his New Deal and the First Phase of his Presidency.
- Foreign Policy
- Isolation is the word
Second Phase of FDR’s Presidencies
- Rise of Fascism in Europe: Hitler and Mussolini rise up to power in Germany and Italy during a time of American Isolation.
- By 1938, Hitler had taken over most of Europe without firing a shot.
- FDR.
- Shift away from isolationism between 1938 and 1941 is gradual.
- Panay crisis
- Increased armaments
- Britain put on the defensive, new emphasis on America’s role
- Revision of the Neutrality act.
- It was indeed Pearl Harbor that completely blew Americans out of complacency, on December 7, 1941.
- Sharp criticism for “the architect of victory”, along with high compliment
FDR’s Domestic and Foreign Legacies
- Unlike Theodore Roosevelt, FDR has many pivotal policy legacies that are worth noting:
- Domestic:
- Pluralism- intellectual idea emerged in 1920s to influence approaches to organization and problem solving. It favored widespread decision-making and constant improvisation. He wanted a flexible and democratic federal branch, best fitted to solve social problems
- Foreign:
- “Principally influenced by Pearl Harbor, which destroyed isolationist contentions about American invulnerability to attack, and by the country’s emergence as the world’s foremost Power, the nation ended the war ready to shoulder substantial responsibilities in foreign affairs.”-Robert Dallek
- Evident by bombings in Hiroshima and Nagasaki:
- FDR tried to show the world, by action, that the United States would be the hegemonic leader in a New World Order.
Analysis of TR and FDR as “Chief of Party”
- TR was a progressive Republican who had to wrestle control of his party from Old-Guard Republican bosses like Mark Hanna of Ohio.
- He never really united the party, but he achieved some of his goals through manipulation of Old Guard Congressmen.
- After he announced that he would not run for a third term in 1908, his party treated him as a lame duck and his relations with them soared to the point of open hostility.
- FDR, on the other hand, united his party and created a new Democratic constituency made up of Northern industrial workers, ethnic minorities, and the farm bloc.
- Cooper says, “ The international crisis at the end of the 1930s, which renewed his lease on the Theodore Rooseveltian role of transcendent national leader, was what furnished (FDR’s) opportunity to fulfill the Wilsonian role of party leader.”
Analysis as “Progressives”
- It is clear that FDR was affected by TR and Wilson’s Progressivism.
- TR’s social and economic Progressivism was characterized by moral advancement of society.
- Pure Food and Drug Act (Upton Sinclair The Jungle )
- FDR’s New Dealers were not concerned with the moral advancement of society, but rather economic progress.
- Both presidents came into office during times that necessitated change.
- The movement following the Industrial Revolution was named the Progressive Movement:
- Government regulation of big-business
- Labor reforms and consumer protection
- FDR’s Progressivism was classified by the need for:
- Worker’s economic relief
- Government’s control of economics
Opposition: TR versus Congress and Party
- TR and Congress were destined to be opposed
- He came into office when decades of legislative supremacy were ending.
- The decline in legislative strength did not please elders on Capitol Hill.
- They would have resisted the increase of presidential power under any president.
- He played delicate games of cat and mouse to achieve his goals.
- TR usually won the battle for public opinion versus Congress; however, this was achieved at some cost to his legislative record later on.
- TR was always fighting and manipulating the Conservative Republicans for control of his own party, and it was they who blocked most of his important objectives.
Opposition: FDR versus the Supreme Court
- Conservative Supreme Court strikes down the NIRA, the AAA, and the repudiation of the gold clause.
- FDR decides to retaliate in 1936 by “packing the court”
- He claimed the overworked and overage judges were a detriment and proposed to be able to appoint as many as six new judges.
- This measure failed and lost him support in his party and Congress.
- While they were able to defeat the large part of his New Deal, FDR was responsible for the famous “switch in time that saved nine”.
- FDR was able to nearly replace every justice on the Supreme Court during his four terms.
- He drastically affected the future of the Supreme Court.
FDR and TR with the Media
- TR’s popularity came from his love affair with the media and the American people.
- First presidential career to be conducted within the era of the “modern journalistic press”
- Rough Rider publicity
- TR used the journalistic media to strengthen his office, and began to build a power base apart from party organizations
- FDR used the press to achieve his goals:
- He learned reporters’ names, read their stories, and created news for them
- FDR and the Press Conference
- Held weekly press conferences that allowed him to speak for himself and somewhat control public opinion
- FDR press policy fit the democratic ideal of an informed public.
Policy Analysis Theodore Roosevelt
- TR: Domestic Policy
- 1902, Northern Securities prosecution- sought strict federal regulation over private business.
- Bureau of Corporations- Provided needed information about structure, operations, and work conditions in America’s corporations.
- Bureau of Labor- Provided similar information about Labor and its organization.
- TR: Foreign Policy
- Venezuela Crisis 1902- Acts boldly but uses great diplomacy in dealing with Wilhelm II
- Creation of the Panama Canal- very important for trade routes
- Arbitration of the Russo-Japanese War-Wins the Nobel Peace Prize
- Jamaica Incident of 1907 and Anglo-American Relations- Upholds the honor of America, while realizing that Anglo-American relations would be important in the near future.
- Role as Chief Diplomat- perhaps the first president to truly represent this role.
- Failures: Stemmed from Several Sources
- Boasted he had dissolved a Plutocracy
- Spoke against materialism “Swimming against the strongest tide in American Politics”
- Announcement in 1904, that he would not run again in 1908
- Even if he intended not to run, he could have delayed the announcement to achieve the illusion of future power.
FDR : Domestic Policy Analysis
- FDR Domestic Policy:
- First New Deal and First Hundred Days
- Banking Reform- Holiday is a term that comforts everyone “Banking Holiday”
- AAA and Wallace’s Farm bill- aimed to deal with depressed prices and great surpluses.
- NIRA- Industrial recovery is key. Put people back to work.
- Hugh Johnson negotiates codes with major industries.
- It was to raise purchasing power of labor and elevate labor standards.
- Sources of trouble were shortage of working capital and demand.
- Important legacy is social and psychological rather than economic or political.
- Social Security Act 1935- withstood court purging.
Failures: Complex explanations:
- “Court Packing” incident
- Last Republican Redoubt- 1938
- Too much control of NIRA codes was given to private business rather than the government.
FDR Foreign Policy Analysis
- Isolation due to American paradigm in 1930s
- FDR Foreign Policy:
- Panay Incident- FDR and nation are upset, war is averted due to Japan’s willingness to apologize.
- WWII- “architect of victory” for the Allied Nations
- Yalta- toward the end of his life, slightly criticized for giving too much concession to Stalin
- Hiroshima and Nagasaki- Truman carries out FDR’s initiative: to avoid a “conditional” surrender of Japan, and to show the world that America will be the new superpower.
- FDR role as Chief Diplomat: He exemplified this traditional conception.
- Criticisms: Neutrality during the 1930s, misjudgment in :
- Nazi victories: 1938-1941
- Caution toward the genocide of European Jews
- American Wartime containment of Japanese-Americans
“Trust Busting” versus NIRA
- TR and FDR differed in their approach and intentions toward big-business.
- While both personally despised big business men, each had a different approach for dealing with them:
- TR prosecutes Northern Securities and many other trusts
- His goal is government regulation and consumer protection at the expense of large private businessmen.
- FDR, in the wake of the Depression, seeks to revive big business
- NIRA
- He believes that involving private business in the grand economic scheme is a major objective to restore the economy.
- TR perhaps sought to regulate too much private business; however, FDR’s Hugh Johnson did not put enough regulation on NIRA codes and this was a primary cause of their failure.
Imperialism versus Isolationism
- The mood toward foreign affairs was much different in TR’s America than it was in FDR’s America.
- TR in the wake of the Spanish American War
- Writings of historians affected the mood of people who begin to believe in American imperialism and a future superpower
- Frederick Jackson Turner (frontier)
- Henry Adams and Brooks Adams( Anglo-superiority)
FDR in the wake of WWI, the corrupt 1920s, and the Stock Market Crash.
- National mood is centered on domestic recovery of the economy
- Americans sit idly and watch fascism spread over Europe
- Until around 1938-1939, Americans and Congress will hear nothing of international involvement.
- Hitler takes Europe without firing a shot
- Many see his demands as justified (Unified German nation and “living space”
- FDR knows better, but is handcuffed by Congress and the public opinion
- Unhealthy Adult versus Unhealthy Child
- Each man’s character was strengthened by overcoming of physical disability.
- TR’s frail, sickly youth led him to seek heroism in every encounter
- FDR paradoxically, was struck down by polio at the age of 39 and paralyzed.
- Strength of character led to a certain arrogance and yearn for power.
- TR became the model for masculinity with his “bully pulpit” and “big stick diplomacy”
- FDR led the nation through the Great Depression and World War II while being paralyzed from the waist down.
- Having become strong men, it was natural for both to become strong presidents and create a strong nation.
Creation of the Modern Presidency
- Long history of Leadership Theory
- Plato
- Machiavelli
- Modern American Presidential Theory is made up of several components:
- Imperial Presidency (Arthur Schlesinger)
- “Especially in the twentieth century, the circumstances of an increasingly perilous world as well as of an increasingly interdependent economy and society seemed to compel a larger concentration of authority in the presidency.”
- Rhetorical Presidency (Jeffrey Tulis)
- Tulis believes that beginning with Theodore Roosevelt, the use of rhetoric has formed a crucial tool for modern presidents.
- Post-Modern Presidency (Richard Rose)
- The modern presidency was created by TR and FDR as an “active” president. However, the post-modern president is an active president who can no longer dominate the international system. Other nations can now affect the White House.
TR and the Modern Presidency
- Right Place and Right Time
- Period of Congressional Supremacy ending.
- The worldwide rise of New Imperialism led to a need for a powerful leader, capable of responding to a increasingly perilous world.
- Presidential pre-occupation with foreign affairs (George W. Bush), during times of international instability.
- Domestically, TR expanded the Federal Branch and created legislation to organize the new institution.
- “Bully pulpit”- used the presidency to achieve his agenda and ensured that he expanded the presidency so that it was capable for other presidents to do the same.
- Demanded that the president be responsible to the people, in the tradition of Andrew Jackson and Abraham Lincoln.
FDR and the Modern Presidency
- Founder of the Modern American Presidency
- Wilsonian Model of party leader, and united the Democratic Party.
- New coalition of people who had been traditionally ignored.
- Introduced Pluralism in government.
- Demanding times called for pragmatism and not rigidity.
- Leadership became facilitative rather than directive.
- Press Conference and “Fireside chats”
- People felt as if they knew him personally.
- Followed TR as “transcendent national leader”
- Increased the Executive branch more than any other president
- President should use the Federal government to directly help people’s lives.
- President as the wartime leader.
Roosevelt Presidents Created An American Superpower
- During TR’s presidency, a young industrial American nation flexed its muscles around the world.
- TR and FDR contrasted many of the traditional roles of the modern president, but shared one theme in common:
- Expansive use of office and liberal use of power
- U.S. emerges from WWII as the greatest superpower in the world.
- Both national leaders sought to create a balance of power among the leading nations of the world.
- Both presidents created the modern idea that the United States had to play a pivotal role in world affairs.
- “Theodore Roosevelt’s presidency strengthened the office and the nation, and it was this that enabled Franklin D. Roosevelt to convert an economic and industrial superpower into a political and military one also.”-Al
Conclusion
- “Fortune favors the bold.”- Virgil
- “It is not the critic who counts . . .the credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena . . .who at the best knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, atleast he fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat.”- Theodore Roosevelt
- “. . .the only thing we have to fear, is fear itself.”- Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
- TR and FDR were men who did not fear change, and a leader who expanded the political power of the presidency, and the international bargaining power of the United States.
- They did so operating within many similar themes, but contrasted their use of the traditional roles of the president. Though certain of their methods and roles may be different, their goals were similar:
- Achieve personal political power
- Expand the role of the Presidency and Federal Government
- Create an International superpower.