Characteristics or Beliefs
• Diligent: In 1910, Roosevelt was elected to the New York Senate. Then, in 1921 he became disabled from
Polio. He continued to exercise diligently in Warm Springs, GA with hopes of being able to walk again.
Later, in 1928, Roosevelt was elected Governor of New York. Roosevelt became President during a very
difficult time for the country, the Great Depression. Many people were out of work and extremely poor.
During his campaign, Roosevelt promised a “New Deal” , a promise to get America working again. He
developed many programs providing jobs building bridges, roads, schools and airports. Several of his
programs still exist today. FDR worked toward peace, democracy, and liberty until he died in 1945. The
war ended shortly after his death.
• Cooperation: FDR asked Americans to come together and cooperate with his plans. Americans
cooperated in many ways; people joined the military, woman worked in factories, and everyone conserved
as much as they could.
• Liberty: Roosevelt was fighting for democracy and liberty for the American people and for the world. He
met with leaders from other countries trying to find peace. These leaders eventually formed the United
Nations.
Social Barriers or Obstacles
• Polio / Handicapped
• The Great Depression
• World War II
Locations:
Hyde Park, NY
Born and raised
New York City, NY
Where his wife, Eleanor, is from
Washington, DC
President of the U.S.
Warm Springs, GA
Built a home here to be near the springs in hopes
of a recovery to his illness
pg. 9
Vocabulary for:
Franklin D. Roosevelt Biography
These words will be included as part of the end of unit test.
You will need to have a complete understanding of these words.
campaign – time before an election when people running
for office try to convince voters to vote for them
democracy – a government in which the people have the
power to make political decisions
dictatorship – a country in which the ruler has complete
power and sometimes rules cruelly
disabled – having a condition that makes it difficult to do
something
liberty – freedom from being controlled by someone
opponent – someone who runs against a person in an
election
public service - work for the good of others, often
through a job in government
pg. 10