FIRESIDE CHATS
- Uses radio to reach the country en masse
- Outlines what was being done to ease suffering
- Once a week
Interesting Fact
Though he worked with speechwriters, Roosevelt took an active role in creating the chats, dictating early drafts and reading aloud revisions until he had almost memorized the text. He was said to be fond of ad-libbing, explaining why official versions of his speeches often vary from the actual recorded version.
Quote
"No man can tame a tiger into a kitten by stroking it."
--Franklin D. Roosevelt, Fireside Chat: The Great Arsenal of Democracy (December 29, 1940)
--Franklin D. Roosevelt, Fireside Chat: The Great Arsenal of Democracy (December 29, 1940)
Subjunctive Question
Could FDR have restored faith in his people without these fireside chats?
Summary
FDR used these fireside chats to reasure his people of the steps he was taking to ease the suffering. He would broadcast these on the radio once a week.