Welcome to Part Thirty-One. It’s time for the second part of the President who introduced the New Deal, who also couldn’t walk. Let’s dive into part two of the administration of Franklin D. Roosevelt:
Fall of France- 25th June 1940
France officially fell to Germany on this date. Germany had invaded a month earlier and ground the French Army into a total collapse. With the French government now in exile, those remaining signed the Second Armistice at Compiègne was signed by the Third Republic and the Germans. It went into effect on the 25th June, and the German occupation of France began.
Wins reelection- 5th November 1940
Roosevelt won a record third election on this day. He had a new running mate, Henry Wallace, as his former VP had mounted a presidential challenge. The Democrats won 38 states and 449 electoral votes, against the Republican’s 10 and 82 respectively. Whilst Roosevelt didn’t have quite the landslide he did in 1936, he still won with the help of his promise to stay out of the war.
Third inauguration- 20th January 1941
Roosevelt was inaugurated for a record third time on this day. He was sworn in on the East Portico of the Capitol Building by Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes. The weather was sunny with a cold wind, and the temperature was 29F/-2C. His inaugural address was relatively brisk at 1,395 words- ‘We do not retreat. We are not content to stand still. As Americans, we go forward, in the service of our country, by the will of God.’
Signs the Lend-Lease Act- 11th March 1941
Roosevelt signed the Lend-Lease Act on this day. It allowed the USA to provide military and other aid to any country ‘vital to the defence of the United States.’ This allowed aid to Allied nations such as the U.K. and France. It also essentially ended American neutrality, though they didn’t enter the war just yet.
Proclamation 2487- 27th May 1941
Roosevelt issued Proclamation 2487 on this day. He declared an ‘unlimited national emergency’ that put every military base on a certain sense of readiness.
Operation Barbarossa- 22nd June 1941
Operation Barbarossa, named for the Holy Roman Emperor, started on this day. This saw Germany invade the Soviet Union in violation of the non-aggression pact they had signed. Thus began some of the bloodiest and hardest fighting of the war, with the Eastern Front becoming a byword for doom.
Bombing of Pearl Harbour- 7th December 1941
The Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour on this day, leading to America’s entry into the war. At just before eight in the morning, hundreds of Japanese planes descended upon the Hawaiian naval base and wreaked havoc. Over two-thousand Americans were killed, and 180 aircraft and eight ships were destroyed. The attack was designed to prevent America from interfering with Japanese interests in the Pacific.
War is declared on Japan- 8th December 1941
The USA declared war on Japan on this day. This was in response to both Pearl Harbour and Japan declaring war on America. In front of a joint session of Congress, Roosevelt famously declared that ‘Yesterday, December 7, 1941- a date which will live in infamy.’
War is declared on Germany- 11th December 1941
The USA declared war on Germany on this day. This was in response to Germany declaring war on America.
First rationing- 5th January 1942
The first use of rationing occurred on this day. Tires were the first items to be rationed, as nearly all rubber came from Southeast Asia, now under Japanese control. There was also demand for it from the military.
Signs Executive Order 9066- 19th February 1942
Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066 on this day. One of the most controversial of all time, it saw thousands of Japanese and Japanese-Americans forced out of their homes and relocated to internment camps as they were a ‘threat to national security.’ The decision was upheld by the Supreme Court in Korematsu v. United States. Prisoners were held until the end of the war, but many young male internees elected to fight for America nonetheless.
MacArthur leaves the Philippines- 11th March 1942
General Douglas MacArthur left the Philippines on this day. He had wanted to stay, but was ordered to leave by Roosevelt, who feared for his safety. MacArthur, along with his wife, young son and members of his staff fled to Australia. The general famously declared ‘I came through and I shall return.’ He would do so two years later on the 20th October 1944.
Battle of Midway ends- 7th June 1942
The Battle of Midway ended on this day. It was one of the most important battles of the war as America fought to gain a step up in the Pacific. Over three-hundred men died along with the destruction of two ships and 150 aircraft. It was a decisive victory for the Americans.
Italy announces the armistice- 8th September 1943
Italy announced the armistice on this day. It had been signed secretly on the 3rd but was announced to the media on the 8th. In response, Germany took hold of northern and central Italy, and freed Benito Mussolini. Parts of Italy would fall under the new Italian Social Republic, lasting until the Axis troops surrendered Italy in March 1945.
Tehran Conference ends- 1st December 1943
The Tehran Conference ended on this day. It was a meeting of ‘The Big Three,’ Roosevelt, Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin in Tehran, Iran. The results of the conference included the commencement of Operation Overlord, support of Yugoslav Partisans and discussion of what would become the United Nations.
D-Day Invasion- 6th June 1944
The D-Day Invasion occurred on this day. Also known as the Normandy Landings, a multinational force led by Dwight D. Eisenhower and Bernard Montgomery landed in Northwestern France. The aim was to liberate France.
Signs the GI Bill- 22nd June 1944
Roosevelt signed the GI Bill on this day. It would provide a wide range of benefits to veterans, such as college education and loans. Effects would include a boom in home ownership.
Liberation of Paris- 24th August 1944
Paris was liberated on this day. After days of heavy fighting in and near the city, French tanks rolled into the city. American forces joined them the next day, and the Germans surrendered. Parisians lined the streets and partied in celebration.
Wins reelection- 7th November 1944
Roosevelt won a record fourth reelection on this day. Despite having broken his promise to keep America out of the war, Americans returned him to the White House, albeit with his poorest performance. Democrats won 36 states and 432 electoral votes, against the Republicans’ 12 and 99 respectively. Roosevelt was in poor health and knew that he could die, so replaced Henry Wallace with the more palatable Harry S. Truman.
Battle of the Bulge begins- 16th December 1944
The Battle of the Bulge began on this day. It was a major battle and the last major German offensive. Taking place across Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, it lasted for over a month and killed tens of thousands of people. It was an Allied victory and sent the Germans on the back foot.
Fourth inauguration- 20th January 1945
Roosevelt had his record fourth inauguration on this day. It was held on the South Portico of the White House, and Roosevelt was sworn in by Chief Justice Harlan F. Stone. This was the last election in which a VP was sworn in by his predecessor. The weather had been snowy in the morning and cloudy throughout, and was 35F/2C at noon. His inaugural address was the second-shortest in history, clocking in at 557 words– ‘We Americans of today, together with our allies, are passing through a period of supreme test. It is a test of our courage–of our resolve–of our wisdom–our essential democracy.’
Yalta Conference ends- 11th February 1945
The Yalta Conference ended on this day. The Big Three assembled in Yalta, then the Soviet Union and now Ukraine. Effects included planning the Eastern Bloc, dividing Germany into quarters and the establishment of what would be the United Nations.
Battle of Iwo Jima ends- 26th March 1945
The Battle of Iwo Jima ended today. The major battle was designed to capture the important island of Iwo Jima, part of Japan. Lasting over a month, it saw tens of thousands killed and some brutal fighting. America won the day, and the famous photo of the flag raising was spread.
Invasion of Okinawa- 1st April 1945
The Invasion of Okinawa happened on this day. It was the largest amphibious assault in the Pacific, and involved a multinational force. The result was over one hundred thousand dead and 90% of the island destroyed. Americans planned for more battles, but the nuking of Japan put an end to that.
Dies- 12th April 1945
Franklin D. Roosevelt died suddenly on this day. He had been in very poor health for some time, so much so that Truman had been brought in as vice president with the knowledge he would likely take over. When he arrived home from Yalta, many Americans were shocked by how frail the president looked. Along his many ailments were a number of heart issues. Roosevelt was at his holiday home of Warm Springs, Georgia along with his mistress Lucy. He was posing for a portrait when he announced that ‘I have a terrific headache.’ Roosevelt then slumped forward and never regained consciousness. At 3:35PM, Roosevelt died of massive internal hemorrhage. He was sixty-three. The nation was shocked at the news that a man who had been their leader for twelve years and had led them through a major war. Hundreds of thousands lined the train route as his body was taken back to D.C. Harry S. Truman had to take over the country at a crucial time. Roosevelt was buried at his lifelong home, the Springwood Estate in Hyde Park, New York. Franklin D. Roosevelt is usually considered a top three president by historians. Supporters cite his New Deal, handling of WW2 and steadying the nation as his greatest strengths. He is not without his critics, however, and they cite his expansion of federal government, treatment of Japanese-Americans and running for your terms as weaknesses.
That’s it for Franklin D. Roosevelt. Tune in next time for Harry S. Truman, in which we’ll see him deal with bombing Japan, a post-war world and trouble with a general.
