Homework Lance
Case Study: The Democrat and the Dictator
- Read both speeches and give an assessment of what these two leaders thought was the cause ofthe problems their countries faced.
Hitler, though confident and optimistic, always put the blame of the perilous state it was in on everyone except Germany itself. He blamed theirissues on a few things, in the beginning of his speech he insisted these were the reasons God had ignored them, “More than fourteen years have passed since the unhappy day when the German people, blinded by promises from foes at home and abroad, lost touch with honor and freedom, thereby losing all (“Hitler,” 1933, para. 1).”He held the November party responsible for ruining Germans for 14 years and creating unemployment for the masses (“Hitler,” 1933).Hitler also blamed the Treaty of Versailles for the hardship they were facing more than once. He hollered about how the Allies shoved Germany out of the deal. Also stating the land that was taken from them and the vast amount of money needed to pay reparations that were due, was all reasons whythey lost their self-respect. Hitler also blamed Communism for the state of turmoil they were in.“Communism with its method of madness is making a powerful and insidious attack upon our dismayed and shattered nation (“Hitler,” 1933, para. 4).” There is no denying that Germany may have been less fortunate but it had enough resources to be more than comfortable with hard work put in. In the end Hitler made promises that he could not deliver on.
Franklin D. Roosevelt blamed the United States problems on the “financial decrease all around, from tax increases, the government having limited revenue, and trading becoming stationary in the existing market (“FDR,” 1933, para. 4).”Both the financial part of the economy and small businesses were in dire straits in Roosevelt’s opinion. “The savings of many years in thousands of families are gone (“FDR,” 1933, para. 2).” Roosevelt thought that everything everyone had worked for was gone.
Hitler and Roosevelt both agreed that the state of their countries were dire and drastic measures needed to be taken to repair that which had been broken. And both had radical ideas to change it.
2.Using quotes from both speeches, tell how each leader intended to deal with:
A.Unemployment
Hitler announced that unemployment must be fixed in four years. “At the same time the
conditions necessary for a revival in trade and commerce are provided (“Hitler,” 1933, para. 8)”. To rescue the Germans from ruin unemployment must be fought. Hitler rehabilitatedthe working environment and payof the German people by keeping the cost of living the same and decreasing the utilities. Hitler also started a program that would help rebuild public buildings, as well as residential homes while creating new roads, bridges, passages and harbor facilities (“Hitler,” 1933).
Roosevelt had different ways of fixing our country. “Our greatest primary task is to put people to work (“FDR,” 1933, para. 9).” “This can be accomplished by direct recruiting by the Government itself treating it as if it were an emergency of war, accomplishing greatly needed projects to stimulate and reorganize the use of our natural resources (“FDR,” 1933, para. 9)”. The Works Progress Administration started in April andwas not allowed to be rivals with private businesses. Hence, the goal was to build post offices, passageways, schools, highways and parks (“FDR,” 1933). The Works Progress Administration was alsoenabled to findjobs for people, including artists, journalists, theater directors and musicians. Then the National Labor Relations Act was enacted which stopped companies from mistreating employees.
B.Banking, finance and in general, the economy
“In economical administration, the promotion of employment, the preservation of the
farmer, as well as in the exploitation of individual initiative, the Government sees the
best guarantee for the avoidance of any experiments which would endanger the
currency” (“Hitler,” 1933, para. 4).” Part of securing the “necessities of life” involve caring for the sick and elderly (“Hitler,” 1933). Conditions must be rehabilitated for the need of trade and commerce (“Hitler,” 1933). He insisted that communism must be destroyed and Germany recognizes no classes, it sees only German people, peasants, bourgeois and workers (“Hitler,” 1933). During this time Germany’s cash flow was steady and they were no longer in debt.Germany went from being broke toprivileged.
Roosevelt believed as a nation they had come to see how much they depended on each other and they needed to stay true to their obligations and to what they say, if you say you are going to do something then do it (“FDR,” 1933). To prevent from back sliding back into debt Roosevelt said“there must be a strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments; there must be an end to speculation with other people’s money, and there must be provisions for an adequate but sound currency (“FDR,” 1933).” Roosevelt closed all the banks for one day to allow the Emergency Banking Relief Bill to be enacted (“FDR,” 1933). He stated that by following the Constitution we will inevitably meet any needs just by reorganizing without losing what truly matters (“FDR,” 1933).
C.Agriculture
Hitler’s view on agriculture was that “the German farmer must be rescued in order that the nation may be supplied with the necessities of life (“Hitler,” 1933).” Hitler sold produce at a higher price and said that compulsory labor-service and back-to-life land policy were two basic principles to the program to reorganize business life (“Hitler,” 1933).
Roosevelts answer to improving was “engaging on a national scale in redistribution endeavor to provide a better use of the land for those best fitted for the land” (Roosevel,1933). At the same time “raise values of agricultural products and the power to purchase the outputs of the cities (“FDR,” 1933).” By stopping foreclosures on farms and homes this would help with drastically in reducing costs for Federal, State and local governments (“FDR,” 1933). The National Industrial Recovery Act was enacted to enable workers tobe able to unionize and negotiate as one for increased wages and better working conditions.
D.Foreign Policy
“In regards to its foreign policy the National Government considers its highest mission to
be the securing of the right to live and the restoration of freedom to our nation(“Hitler,” 1933).”After removing themselves from the League of Nations theystarted building, agreed to a nonviolence agreement with Poland and started a new Saar territory through a ballot.
Roosevelt enacted The ‘Good Neighbor’ policy that Roosevelt which was very effective
with helping set the stage for a better country. Even though Hoover was the first to propose the ‘Good Neighbor’ policy and Roosevelt made it a reality (“FDR,” 1933).
“In the field of world policy I would dedicate this Nation to the policy of the good neighbor—the
neighbor who resolutely respects himself and, because he does so, respects the rights of others”
(Roosevelt, 1933).
- Finally, in a concluding statement, tell where you think these leaders find common ground in terms of their proposed solutions, and what you think their vision is with regard to the power of their position.
Hitler and Roosevelt had mostly different ways of improving the issues but they both believed in God being the foundation of their country. They were charismatic and believable and both agreed that unity was the only way to overcome their troubles. Roosevelt’s speechtalks about numerous
fixes such as jobs, better use of farming land, and more rules for banks, credits, and investments. Hitler stateshe will help German farmers and increase produce, improve unemployment, and care for the sick and elderly. They had similar problems to fix so their fixes seemed also similar.
The people believed and needed great change in their lives and the leaders said they could do it.
References
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