36.6k views
4 votes
Roosevelt claims ""restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit."" What does he mean by social values? What social values does he reference throughout the speech?

1 Answer

5 votes

Final answer:

Roosevelt was advocating for prioritizing social values such as justice and economic security over financial gain, which was reflected in his speeches and New Deal policies.

Step-by-step explanation:

When Franklin D. Roosevelt said, "restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than mere monetary profit," he was emphasizing the importance of prioritizing the well-being of society over financial gains. The social values he referred to throughout his speeches and policies included concepts such as justice, economic security, political equality, and human welfare. Through programs like the Works Progress Administration and the establishment of Social Security and unemployment insurance, he showcased his commitment to these values.

Roosevelt's belief that government should balance economic forces to ensure justice and his advocacy for government regulation to safeguard the public interest reflected his broader vision. His famous Four Freedoms Speech encapsulated this view by advocating for freedom of speech and worship and freedom from want and fear, framing these as essential human freedoms that should be protected worldwide. By using persuasive rhetoric and the mass media, notably through his fireside chats, Roosevelt communicated directly with the American people, promoting his New Deal agenda and fostering an image of a government actively working to improve the lives of its citizens.

His word choices, such as "save the people and the nation," "happy days were here again," and "New Nationalism," were crafted to inspire hope, invoke patriotism, and convey his determination to uplift the nation from the Great Depression and promote a more equitable society. Roosevelt's speeches were characterized by their ability to articulate a vision of a government that served the people, and his actions followed suit, which aimed at directly addressing the economic struggles of the time.

User Amal Ps
by
7.5k points