Roosevelt's Democratic National Convention Reflection Speech (Essay Sample)

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Roosevelt’s Democratic National Convention Relection Speech
In 1936, the Presidential election was approaching, and the incumbent President Roosevelt had little doubts over his re-election. He accepted the re-nomination to run for the presidency on 27th June 1936 at the Democratic National Convention in Philadelphia. The President took the opportunity to gather confidence from the Americans by reaffirming them of the economic and political freedom, as well as the reforms. He addressed the dark realities and promised for a good future. The President assured the American workers of the protection of their rights by eliminating the economic despotism. The discursive scope of this paper seeks to explain the issues that were addressed in President Roosevelt’s acceptance speech for re-nomination in Philadelphia.
President Roosevelt prepared a very important speech for the acceptance of re-nomination as the presidential candidate for the Democrats’ party. He was already the incumbent president. He knew what it took to be the president of the United States, thus did not want to risk losing re-election to the uninspiring Kansas Governor Alf Landon. However, the election came at a sensitive time in history when most Americans were stricken by poverty following the effects of the Great Despression. However, the president was very determined and prepared a speech that is considered as the most radical presidential campaign speech in Philadelphia‘s Franklin Field. The main agendas were to impove wellbeing of Americans and address the politicaleconomic challenges.
President Roosevelt emphasized on the economic royalists who he claimed threatened the economic freedom of the workers in America. His main issue was the evolution of the American freedom in the societies and ensuring that the government continued to play its role of serving the citizens. Roosevelt’s speech argued for both political and economic freedom in America to develop. For instance, he said, ‘if the average citizen is guaranteed equal opportunity in the polling place, he must have equal opportunity in the marketplace.’ (Milkis and Mileur 40) The speech had some of the most influential words to have ever been delivered by presidential candidates in campaign trails. He said, ‘This is a mysterious cycle in human events. To some generations, much is given. Of other generations, much is expected. This American generation has a rendezvous with destiny.’ (Smith 6 )The words were meant to offer hope to the American citizens by beseeching people the efforts of remaking America.
President Roosevelt’s acceptance speech is considered by most people as a history lesson, a sermon, and a forward-looking manifesto because of giving unique perspectives on the evolution of America. His great speech emphasized in the future of America and the determination he had to deal with the problems facing the Americans. He also offered gratitude to the Americans for the support they offered him during the presidential tenure and the non-partisan roles of the Congress he witnessed during his term.
Additionally, the president wanted to use his powers to strengthen the Democratic Party. He and the other Democrats used the opportunity of the re-election campaign to make the Americans have a new understanding of the government. The acceptance speech of the FDR in 1936 Democratic National Convention incorporated the issues of the New Deal Creed that President Roosevelt was directly involved in articulation in the Common Wealth Club address in 1932. The President also focused on the progressive reform that offered a redefinition of the American politics. The President took a stand against economic despotism and emphasized that the Americans would get a new definition of social order. The President was criticizing the business critics who he explained were seeking to overthrow the institutions of America using their power and greed. He said,’ privileged princes of these new economic dynasties had used the economic and legal privileges with an aim of creating a new form of despotism. The average man is now confronting the same challenges that faced the minute man.’(Roosevelt)
The speech greatly emphasized on the reaffirmation of the New Deal Manifesto. President Roosevelt’s convention speech in Philadelphia roused New Deal supporters for the formation of a militant ...