Presidential Biographies | Franklin D. Roosevelt Administrations - Roosevelt Becomes President

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Administrations

Franklin Delano Roosevelt is regarded by historians as one of the greatest U.S. presidents. He was in office longer than any other person and he successfully led the nation through two of the most serious crises in U.S. history—the Great Depression and World War II. Only George Washington and Abraham Lincoln faced greater challenges and were successful in overcoming them.

Roosevelt Becomes President

The Campaign of 1932

Roosevelt's quest for the presidency in 1932 came at a time when the Great Depression was at its worst. An estimated 13 million people were out of work, many great industries—like steel—were operating at a fraction of capacity, banks were failing, and the Hoover administration had proved unable to cope effectively...