Radio Inquiry Unit – Supporting Question 4
Photo: FDR [Franklin Delano Roosevelt] FIRESIDE CHAT https://www.loc.gov/item/2016883684/ Accessed: 12 June 2017
“While developing programs to help America emerge from the Great Depression, Roosevelt also needed to calm the fears and restore the confidence of Americans and to gain their support for the programs of the New Deal, including the NRA. One of the ways FDR chose to accomplish this was through the radio, the most direct means of access to the American people. During the 1930s almost every home had a radio, and families typically spent several hours a day gathered together, listening to their favorite programs. Roosevelt called his radio talks about issues of public concern “Fireside Chats.” Informal and relaxed, the talks made Americans feel as if President Roosevelt was talking directly to them. Roosevelt continued to use fireside chats throughout his presidency to address the fears and concerns of the American people as well as to inform them of the positions and actions taken by the U.S. government.”
National Archives
Listen to the Fireside Chat below:
(https://www.archives.gov/education/lessons/fdr-fireside)(Photo: https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6728517)
