Franklin D. Roosevelt Through the Eyes of Cicero
During the 1932 presidential election, the major issue facing the United States was the Great Depression. The Democrats nominated Governor Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) from New York as the Democratic presidential candidate. FDR offered specific proposals to end the depression but more importantly, radiated confidence as he pledged a New Deal for the American people. During the four months between the election and the inauguration the Great Depression worsened: unemployment increased, more businesses failed, and financial system was ailing.
On March 5, 1933 Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) gave his first inaugural address to the United States. It was at a time when the county’s confidence was at its lowest point. Roosevelt’s first speech needed to address the concerns of the country.
Analysis of Roosevelt’s inaugural speech to the United States revealed elements of Cicero’s concepts of public speaking. According to Cicero, “invention” refers to an effective approach to a topic in which a speech must be made. The United States suffered a crisis of confidence. Roosevelt’s address needed to exude a sense of vigor and action; this theme ultimately became the approach in which he employed in his first address to American public. The concept of vigor and action is what Cicero would’ve called the focus of Roosevelt’s speech or the invention stage which occurred before the speech was written. Cicero identifies this stage as the most important part of the rhetorical process.
In the third sentence of his speech, Roosevelt’s comments became words of inspiration that have been remembered for many decades. Roosevelt says, “So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself.” These opening comments are found in what Cicero identifies as the Exordium. Cicero claimed the exordium brings the mind to a suitable state to receive the rest of the speech and renders the audience well dispose toward the speaker.
The mere fact that Roosevelt was elected President signified the trust and confidence the American people had in his abilities to return the country to solid ground. This trust alone establishes the basis of the honourable cause that Cicero describes as the disposition in which a hearer favours at once, without waiting to hear the speech.
The rest of Roosevelt’s address reinforced his optimism for the future prosperity of the country. For example, FDR stated, “nature still offers her bounty and human efforts have multiplied it meaning;” we have a country and plenty of resources. “We must act and act quickly.” This is was another exhibition of FDR’s confidence and optimism in the countries ability to overcome adversity. These examples reinforce the good-will that is derived from the hearers themselves according to Cicero.
