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Fireside Chats and the Use of Media

3 images, top FDR in front of mic giving fireside chat, bottom left old photo of 3 people listening to radio, bottom right old photo of man listening to radio — FDR fireside chats

When FDR became president in 1933, he believed that the best way to comfort and inform the public about his administration and its policies was to address them on the radio. He considered it most effective to talk to the people as if he had joined them in their living rooms or kitchens for a relaxed, informal conversation about one or two specific topics. These became his fireside chats.

EXAMPLE 1: BANKING CRISIS

FDR believed recovery from the Depression was impossible without massive government action. He planned to use government to relieve hardship and pump life into a collapsed economy.

On his first full day in office, FDR confronted his greatest challenge—the banking crisis that threatened to destroy America’s economy.

FDR began with a decisive act. Declaring a “bank holiday,” he temporarily closed all the nation’s banks. Then he called Congress into special session to pass emergency banking legislation.

Treasury officials feverishly began work on the Emergency Banking Act. Rushed to Congress four days later, it was approved within hours. The Act gave the government authority to examine bank finances, provide needed capital, and determine which banks were fit to reopen.

The healthy banks were authorized to reopen on March 13. But would people trust them? On March 12, FDR went on nationwide radio to reassure Americans. His appeal worked. The following morning, when the banks reopened, depositors lined up to return their money. The banking crisis was over.

“Capitalism was saved in eight days,” adviser Raymond Moley later recalled.

>> Watch the following short video that discusses the impact of FDRs fireside chat on the banking crisis and then read Example 2.

EXAMPLE 2: WORLD WAR II

FDR in front of map — FDR fireside chat on the progress of war

During World War II FDR used his fireside chats to inform and reassure people. Watch the following video about the impact his radio broadcasts had on Americans during the time of war.

Click here to watch FDR Pacific Front Radio Address (opens in new window)

National Archives. (2016). Franklin D. Roosevelt's Presidency. Retrieved April 3, 2019, from https://fdrlibrary.org/fdr-presidency

National Archives. (2016). Fireside Chat: Banking Crisis. Retrieved April 3, 2019, from https://fdrlibrary.org/banking-curriculum-hub