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20th Century's Most Influential People This special project will run from August '98 until June '99 and will feature over 50 individuals of the 20th century who have made a significant difference in this world. We will be covering such people as world leaders, artists, writers, entertainers, athletes, scientists, etc. We hope this will give our readers a chance to learn more about these people of the 20th century and also give their opinions on who they think made the most difference of all in each category. Subscribe write your e.mail address (i.e. bob@aol.com)
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| 20th Century's Most Influential World Leaders |
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A great president of a democratic nation, especially in the United States, may be measured in several ways. One may be by looking at the status of the nation during his years in
office; the better off the population, supposedly the greater the president.
Another, perhaps more legitimate, may be his ability to deliver the nation from hardships and establish a system so that future presidents may already have a population living well. While noted presidents, such as Kennedy and Reagan, have been declared good presidents for the mere fact that they were in office when the economy was good and people were happy, the greatest presidents were those who guided the nation through hard times. George Washington helped to establish a foundation and Abraham Lincoln fought the south to abolish slavery. In this century, it was Franklin Roosevelt who brought the United States out of the Great Depression and made reforms to strengthen the economy and social systems for many years to come. His days were the most oppressed days in the history of the United States economically, but in examining the great leadership of Roosevelt, we can see why the United States has become the most powerful and successful nation in the world.
The Great Depression was a desperate time for the United States. Unemployment was up and wages were shrinking. Roosevelt won the election on a promise that he would deliver a "new deal" to the American people. He believed that action had to be taken if the economic crisis was to be cured.
The Great Depression finally ended as Japanese planes attacked U.S. Pacific Fleet in Pearl Harbor, and Germany and Italy declared war on the United States on December 11th, 1941. Though Roosevelt's health was fleeting from him, he believed it was his duty to be reelected and serve the country during the war. A normal man would have cared first about his own health and taken caution, but Roosevelt was no ordinary man, and he risked further damage to ensure the individual freedom of the people of the United States.
World War II ended months after the death of Roosevelt, but it was partly thanks to him that the Axis powers were defeated. The United States also had a brighter future to look towards as the economy began to flourish once more and was this time protected with the programs Roosevelt had built. Roosevelt was a leader who was the modern day Robin Hood, as he protected the poor, knowing that they were the key in building a great nation. Having overcome personal tragedy in polio and also overcoming the Great Depression, Roosevelt is indeed the president of the century and definitely one of the most influential leaders of our time. §
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After becoming the President, Roosevelt quickly produced bills to provide more government funded jobs for people. He passed worker's compensations, social security, and welfare bills to aid the needy. Though hated by the rich, Roosevelt stood firm on his actions stating that, "The test of our progress is not whether we add more to the abundance of those who have much; it is whether we provide enough for those who have too little." Roosevelt was a wise chief and decided on what was best for the average American, who he referred to as the "forgotten man."