FDR's Inaugural Address Assignment

Hey ya'll.

Click here for the link to the text and audio of FDR's First Inaugural Address.

While reading, answer the following questions:

1. The first paragraph contains the most famous line from the speech, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself...," what does FDR mean by this phrase? What was he trying to tell the American people?

2. The 2nd and 3rd paragraph lists the problem that America faces. What are those problems in your own words?

3. What is the message of paragraph four? Why does FDR follow paragraphs 2 and 3 with this paragraph?

4. Who does FDR blame for the problems at the end of paragraph 4 and in paragraph 5?

5. What does FDR says needs to change in paragraph 6?

6. In paragraph 7 FDR calls for action, the next 3 paragraphs describe the action he plans to take. What are those actions?

7. Which is more important to FDR, the national or international economy? Why?

8. What does he ask of the American people?

9. What role does FDR say he will play in this "battle" against the Depression?

10. How does FDR say he might have to adjust the normal balance of power set up in the Constitution? How does he justify this change based on the role he says he will play?

11. How does the end of his speech respond to those who fear he will take this crisis and create a dictatorship?

12. Overall, what is the tone of the speech and what are the key points that FDR wanted to tell the American people?