Analyzing FDR's First Fireside Chat

Suggested Teaching Instructions

One of the first actions taken by President Roosevelt upon becoming President was an emergency temporary closing of all banks in order to measure their safety and prevent a further economic crisis through a banking collapse. To explain his actions and to inform Americans of his New Deal, Roosevelt also needed to calm the fears and restore the confidence of Americans and to gain their support for the programs.

One of the ways FDR chose to accomplish this was through the radio, the most direct means of access to the American people. During the 1930s almost every home had a radio, and families typically spent several hours a day gathered together, listening to their favorite programs. Roosevelt called his radio talks about issues of public concern "fireside chats." Informal and relaxed, the talks made Americans feel as if President Roosevelt was talking directly to them. Roosevelt continued to use fireside chats throughout his presidency to address the fears and concerns of the American people as well as to inform them of the positions and actions taken by the U.S. government.

This fireside chat on the banking crisis, given on March 12, 1933, addressed some of the problems and issues of the Great Depression, it also focused on how banking works.