March 12, 1933
FDR's First Fireside Chat
March 12, 1933
FDR’s First Radio Address
Today is our third excerpt from the first of FDR’s famous “Fireside Chats”, where he lays out the next steps in his plan for America’s banks and why those steps are necessary — giving the people an exact timeline for what they can expect.
All emphasis mine.
Another question you will ask is this: Why are all the banks not to be reopened at the same time? The answer is simple and I know you will understand it: Your government does not intend that the history of the past few years shall be repeated. We do not want and will not have another epidemic of bank failures.
As a result, we start tomorrow, Monday, with the opening of banks in the twelve Federal Reserve Bank cities — those banks which on first examination by the Treasury have already been found to be all right. That will be followed on Tuesday by the resumption of all their functions by banks already found to be sound in cities where there are recognized clearing houses. That means about 250 cities of the United States. In other words, we are moving as fast as the mechanics of the situation will allow.
On Wednesday and succeeding days, banks in smaller places all through the country will resume business, subject, of course, to the government's physical ability to complete its survey. It is necessary that the reopening of banks be extended over a period in order to permit the banks to make applications for the necessary loans, to obtain currency needed to meet their requirements and to enable the government to make common sense check-ups.
Please let me make it clear to you that if your bank does not open the first day, you are by no means justified in believing that it will not open. A bank that opens on one of the subsequent days is in exactly the same status as the bank that opens tomorrow.
.I love how plain his language is here — confident and authoritative.
Honestly, he reminds me of how I handles tables as a server.
Tell people the bad news first, let them know how you’re handling it, and what the reasonable expectations are for what’s to come. Let them know that you’re in charge and doing everything in your power to fix the situation in a reasonable way.
Most people take to this kind of messaging pretty well and give you a chance to prove you’re on top of things — evidenced by FDR winning 60% of the popular vote and 46 of the 48 states for his re-election in 1936.
It is up to the Democratic party to return to the plain language and forceful messaging of FDR. Asking people for their cooperation to make a better America. Get them on our side, instead of lecturing them about why they should do what we want.
Audio begins at 5:17:
Some historic context from the FDR Presidential Library — On March 12th, 1933 — only one week after taking office — President Roosevelt appealed directly to the people of the United States by radio. On March 5th — the day after his inauguration as President — he had declared, by proclamation, a nation-wide bank holiday, this resulting in practically a complete stoppage of the entire business of the country.
The legislation he is describing above passed on Thursday, March 9th — five days after he took office.
People were literally bartering for groceries during this two weeks in March. No currency was circulating unless you had gotten some out of the banks before they all shuttered.
But people were willing to endure this because they believed that the President had a plan to make it better — partly because he was out there explaining the plan.
This week I’ll be treating you to more from FDR’s first Fireside Chat with the American people.
He’s incredible at explaining stuff to the people and making them feel like they are a part of something bigger than themselves.
No wonder he helped save the Free World.
Be sure to subscribe so you don’t miss your Daily Delano — quotes to inspire you from our 32nd President.
As a public service, The Daily Delano will always remain free to all subscribers — but if you want to support a working gal with a paid subscription, I’m much obliged.
I sure do hope the Dems get their act together soon. It feels like they're as flummoxed as we are, and that is panic-inducing. I believe in a few of the Democratic leaders, like Jamie Raskin and Elizabeth Warren. Bernie Sanders has made some public remarks on how awful things are, and I agree, but that's not helpful. I have yet to hear anyone say there's a plan. Am I missing something?