FDR's use of radio during the war years

Abstract

Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first American president to make extensive use of electronic communication. From the beginning of his presidency, FDR's voice entered the homes of America, and in what were termed “Fireside Chats,” Roosevelt encouraged, challenged, and reassured a nation. His style of presentation seemed ideal for the medium of radio. The natural, conversational approach made listeners feel he was speaking directly to them as individuals, and that he was aware of their problems. This audience response gave Roosevelt a tremendous amount of political leverage, a likely factor in his election to four terms in the White House. Nearly half of his 28 radio talks to the nation took place after the beginning of World War II. Throughout the war years, FDR used radio to stimulate morale and to boost domestic efforts on behalf of the Allied cause. His success in using broadcast communication played a major role in his being ranked among our greatest presidents, and is considered by some to have tilted the balance of power toward the executive branch of government.