What was the purpose of the fireside chats?

[Oziel]

U.S. History

[Mike]

President Roosevelt used the new technology of the radio to address the American population about the war. He used it just as TV and Internet are utilized today: to disseminate information that the government wants people to know. Roosevelt saw several benefits to his "fireside chats" as he liked to call them.

1) He would directly talk to the people of his country like a friend or neighbour in a relaxing manner. This style of chat, with Rossevelt's natural charming voice, would reassure the people that everything would be fine. During the Great Depression and then WW2, people needed reassuring!

2) He would let people know what his administration wanted them to know. Just like today's media, the radio was used by Roosevelt to disseminate propaganda, such as the USA is a great country that is progressing, the Allies are the good guys fighting for justice against evil Japs and Nazis, etc.

3) He was reinforcing his image as the "people's president" who cares for the oppressed and poor social classes. By getting friendly on the radio with people in their homes, Roosevelt became like a kind neighbour with a familiar voice offering comfort and information about the world outside, and reassurance that he is taking care of them. When election time came around, Roosevelt won hands down. He was elected four times to office, more than any other US president.

[jeffrey f]

Franklin Roosevelt used fireside chats to talk directly to the American people and appeal to them over the heads of Congress and the media.

[tuffy]

The Fireside Chats were used by FDR to keep the public informed about the efforts of easing and ending the Great Depression. The people all stopped what they were doing to hear FDR's mellow voice reinforce his statement that "all we have to fear, is fear itself." His social position may have been elitist, but the common people believed in him and that he could ".....get us through this sad period for the American people." The people felt better about most things after hearing Roosevelt on the radio.