Final answer:
Roosevelt's fireside chats used radio to connect with citizens, simplifying complex policies, and building support for his New Deal programs.
Step-by-step explanation:
Roosevelt's fireside chats were significant because they connected the president to the American people during difficult times, conveying policies and garnering support.
Fireside chats were President Franklin D. Roosevelt's series of radio addresses that had a profound impact on American politics and society. By using everyday language and a reassuring tone, Roosevelt created an intimate atmosphere akin to a family patriarch by the hearth. These chats allowed him to explain complex financial concepts and his New Deal policies in a manner that was understandable to the general public.
His ability to connect with listeners, offer direct explanations, and request for their 'intelligent support' revolutionized how presidents communicated with the nation and boosted the popularity of his programs, helping them enact his policies.