The Three Most Inflential People of the 20th Century

1. Franklin Delano Roosevelt – FDR was the most influential people of the Twentieth Century because he led America through the Great Depression and guided the United States through most of the Second World War, in addition to working with other world powers, setting the stage for the United States to emerge as a major superpower. During the decade and a half that he served as president, he provided insightful leadership, creating a world order that continues to this day. After President Hoover left office, FDR faced the enormous task of trying to stabilize the country that was crippled by economic hardship. FDR worked with Congress to pass the New Deal to stimulate and revitalize the economy, which included extensive new programs such as the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which made sure that a customer’s money was protected if a bank went under, as well as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which helped to employ thousands of unemployed workers in public works projects like the Hoover Dam. Additionally, President Roosevelt conducted Fireside Chats on the radio in an effort to raise the morale of the American people and get them through this tough time. He recognized the importance of their support and worked to prevent Socialism from replacing Democracy, such as had happened in Germany when the democratic Weimer Republic was taken over by the fascist Third Reich. During the early years of World War II, FDR’s diplomatic skills were evident as he supported the Allied efforts, while keeping the United States removed from the conflict. When the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, bringing America into World War II and ending their neutrality, President Roosevelt began an immediate mobilization of resources to help fight the war in the Pacific and European theaters. He shifted his focus from primarily domestic issues to international affairs and demonstrated his ability to proficiently handle complex global issues. With his