It's interesting to separate FDR the Domestic President from FDR the International President. FDR was a miserable failure domestically, and what really pulled the US and other nations out of a depression was World War II, where FDR was much more successful in his office. The FDR proponents naturally paper over the domestic issues with war performance, not realizing that this makes FDR a one-trick pony of a world leader.
As for FDR the Commander-in-Chief…it’s easy to tip the scales and build the hay bale that broke Germany’s back when you have de facto control over the mightiest industrial powerhouse the world has ever seen. Then there is the moral factor of the Roosevelt Administration with regards to the war, wherein he had no leg to stand on (pun intended).
Agreed. It's no small thing that we were supplying Britain and Russia with significant industrial support for at least part of the war, but it tends to be used by some to overlook contributions from other Allies in the process. Regardless, we are on the same page in your thinking on FDR and his moral basis for WWII in general.
You and me, both. I was once invested in the myth and all it's supporting narratives. Letting go of all of it was probably similar to learning there's no Santa Clause for the average child.
It's interesting to separate FDR the Domestic President from FDR the International President. FDR was a miserable failure domestically, and what really pulled the US and other nations out of a depression was World War II, where FDR was much more successful in his office. The FDR proponents naturally paper over the domestic issues with war performance, not realizing that this makes FDR a one-trick pony of a world leader.
As for FDR the Commander-in-Chief…it’s easy to tip the scales and build the hay bale that broke Germany’s back when you have de facto control over the mightiest industrial powerhouse the world has ever seen. Then there is the moral factor of the Roosevelt Administration with regards to the war, wherein he had no leg to stand on (pun intended).
Agreed. It's no small thing that we were supplying Britain and Russia with significant industrial support for at least part of the war, but it tends to be used by some to overlook contributions from other Allies in the process. Regardless, we are on the same page in your thinking on FDR and his moral basis for WWII in general.
*Mark Twain is arguably the most outstanding American writer of all times.
Great article and I myself for a long time believed Churchill to be the embodiment of the GOOD GUY. I admit my foolishness and gullibleity.
You and me, both. I was once invested in the myth and all it's supporting narratives. Letting go of all of it was probably similar to learning there's no Santa Clause for the average child.
Thanks for stopping by, Gio.