In the 1930s and 40s, FDR was an overwhelming figure, his personality and presence dominating the political landscape. FDR used the new modern technology of radio to deepen his relationship with the people. Listening to his “fireside chats” made it seem as though he were a guest in your own living room, or that you knew him personally. When he died, there were many young adults who could not remember another president. These young adults then are now old adults today, and they have written in my classes about the power of FDR’s voice, and how they even now sometimes hear it in their dreams. One woman remembered watching her mother cook dinner the day that FDR died. Her mother was weeping so heavily and steadily that her tears dropped into the ham-and-bean soup she was preparing. Although the girl tried to eat the soup at dinner, because wasting food was a great sin in her house, she was unable to. She called it “sad soup” and to this day she cannot eat ham-and-bean soup. FDR was a controversial figure, and not everyone loved him. Some thought he was increasing the power of the federal government too much. How about you – what did you think, if you were around then? If you were not alive during FDR’s presidency, what did your mother, father, grandfather or grandmother think about him? If they are alive, ask them. Take a recorder with you if you can. Believe it or not, their stories about this era can and do affect you in yours. Do you have a story of how you, or a member of your family, was affected or influenced by the era represented by FDR? If you’d care to share this story, please leave a comment here. You might win something! At the end of each month I’ll gather up the “Sharing History” comments for the month and pick one at random from a drawing. I’ll send the winner of the drawing my e-book: Making History Workbook: Economics & Politics 1930-1989.
Technorati Tags: 1930, 1940, FDR, political landscape, radio, technology, fireside chat, voice, dreams, government
