Roosevelt’s Analogy- Unveiling How He Compared the Great Special Business Interests
What does Roosevelt compare the great special business interests to?
In his first inaugural address, President Franklin D. Roosevelt made a bold comparison of the great special business interests to a cancer that threatened the very fabric of American democracy. This metaphorical diagnosis of the nation’s economic and political landscape was a stark departure from the traditional view of these interests as essential to the country’s growth and prosperity. Roosevelt’s comparison was not only a critique of the power and influence of these interests but also a call to action for the American people to unite against the common enemy of corruption and greed. This article delves into the context of Roosevelt’s comparison and its implications for the course of American history.>
Roosevelt’s presidency marked a pivotal moment in American history, as he sought to address the economic and social crises that had engulfed the nation following the Great Depression. At the heart of these crises were the great special business interests, which Roosevelt believed had accumulated too much power and influence over the government and the economy. These interests, according to Roosevelt, were not merely profit-driven entities but also had a detrimental impact on the well-being of the American people.
In his inaugural address, Roosevelt made the memorable comparison of these interests to a cancer. He stated, “The money changers have fled from their high seats in the temple of our civilization. We may now restore that temple to the ancient truths. The measure of that restoration lies in the extent to which we apply social values more noble than those of a moneyed civilization.” This comparison was a powerful statement that aimed to awaken the American people to the dangers posed by the great special business interests.
Roosevelt’s cancer metaphor was not without basis. The era of the robber barons, characterized by immense wealth and unchecked power, had left a lasting imprint on American society. The trusts and monopolies that emerged during this period had a stranglehold on the economy, stifling competition and innovation. Moreover, these interests often used their wealth and influence to sway political decisions in their favor, undermining the democratic process.
By comparing the great special business interests to a cancer, Roosevelt was not only decrying their harmful effects on the economy but also emphasizing the moral imperative to eliminate them. He believed that the American people had a responsibility to stand up against these interests and restore the nation’s values of fairness, justice, and equality.
Roosevelt’s comparison had profound implications for his presidency and the course of American history. It laid the groundwork for his New Deal policies, which aimed to regulate and reform the economy to protect the interests of the common man. The New Deal programs, such as the Social Security Act, the Works Progress Administration, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, were all designed to reduce the power of the great special business interests and ensure a more equitable distribution of wealth and opportunities.
In conclusion, what does Roosevelt compare the great special business interests to? He likens them to a cancer, a metaphor that encapsulates the economic, political, and moral damage they cause to American society. Roosevelt’s comparison was a call to arms for the American people to unite against these interests and restore the nation’s values. His presidency and the New Deal policies that followed were a direct response to this challenge, shaping the course of American history for decades to come.
