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The Economic Bill of Rights By President Franklin D. Roosevelt 1944

Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) served as the President of the United States between 1933 and 1945. He led the United States during a time of worldwide economic depression and warfare. His programs for relief and recovery, known collectively as the New Deal, expanded the role of the federal government in the national economy. “The Economic Bill of Rights” is an informal set of ideological aspirations Roosevelt set out for the standard of living of citizens of the United States. Roosevelt decided to deliver this speech in 1944, when the end of World War II was in sight. As you read, identify the goals that President Roosevelt sets forth in his speech and the ways in which he draws upon American history to support his vision.

[1] It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace and the establishment of an American standard of living higher than ever before known. We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people — whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one-tenth — is ill-fed, ill- clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.

This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the protection of certain 1 inalienable political rights — among them the "Fireside chat on the State of the Union (January 11, 1944)" by National Archives and Records Administration is in the public right of free speech, free press, free worship, trial domain. by jury, freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures. They were our rights to life and liberty.

As our nation has grown in size and stature, however — as our industrial economy expanded — these political rights proved inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness.

We have come to a clear realization of the fact that true individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. "Necessitous2 men are not free men." People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.

[5] In our day these economic truths have become accepted as self-evident.3 We have accepted, so to speak, a second Bill of Rights under which a new basis of security and prosperity can be established for all — regardless of station,4 race, or creed.

Among these are:

1. Inalienable (adjective): unable to be taken away from or given away from by the possessor 2. needy 3. obvious; not needing to be explained or demonstrated 4. one’s social rank or position 1 • The right to a useful and remunerative5 job in the industries or shops or farms or mines of the nation; • The right to earn enough to provide adequate food and clothing and recreation; • The right of every farmer to raise and sell his products at a return which will give him and his family a decent living; • The right of every businessman, large and small, to trade in an atmosphere of freedom from unfair competition and domination by monopolies6 at home or abroad; • The right of every family to a decent home; • The right to adequate medical care and the opportunity to achieve and enjoy good health; • The right to adequate protection from the economic fears of old age, sickness, accident, and unemployment; • The right to a good education.

All of these rights spell security. And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well-being.

America's own rightful place in the world depends in large part upon how fully these and similar rights have been carried into practice for our citizens.

"The Economic Bill of Rights" by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1944) is in the public domain.

5. financially rewarding; lucrative 6. Monopoly (noun): the excessive possession or control of the supply or trade in a commodity or service 2 Text-Dependent Questions

Directions: For the following questions, choose the best answer or respond in complete sentences.

1. PART A: Which of the following best identifies the central idea of this speech? [RI.2] A. While winning World War II was at the time the most important problem facing America, the country can no longer ignore economic issues. B. Securing equal employment opportunities for all American citizens would ultimately lead to a vibrant middle class. C. Without a guaranteed income, a person or group of people cannot possibly be considered safe or secure. D. The United States cannot be considered a success if some of its citizens live in poverty, since those conditions do not allow for personal liberty.

2. PART B: Which phrase from the text best supports the answer to Part A? [RI.1] A. “It is our duty now to begin to lay the plans and determine the strategy for the winning of a lasting peace...” (Paragraph 1) B. “We cannot be content, no matter how high that general standard of living may be, if some fraction of our people — whether it be one-third or one-fifth or one- tenth — is ill-fed, ill-clothed, ill-housed, and insecure.” (Paragraph 1) C. “People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.” (Paragraph 4) D. “And after this war is won we must be prepared to move forward, in the implementation of these rights, to new goals of human happiness and well- being.” (Paragraph 7)

3. “This Republic had its beginning, and grew to its present strength, under the [RI.5] protection of certain inalienable political rights...” (Paragraph 2) How does this quote contribute to the development of the passage's main ideas? A. It places FDR's proposed new rights as a logical continuation of the rights that have helped the country prosper since its creation. B. It demonstrates that the United States had outgrown the original political principles that guided its founding. C. It reveals that the country’s weak economy is a result of the lack of rights, ones that have existed since the creation of the country. D. It proves that a person cannot make use of his or her political rights without corresponding economic rights.

4. “People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are [RI.5] made” (Paragraph 4). How does this quote contribute to the main ideas of the passage? A. The quote reveals that ever since the founding of the country great leaders have been concerned with preventing a dictatorship. B. The quote is used to support Roosevelt’s argument that U.S. citizens may begin to favor a dictatorship if new rights are not granted to them. C. The quote demonstrates that all people who live in a dictatorship are hungry. D. The quote presents Roosevelt as the only possible savior to stopping the rise of dictators in the United States.

3 5. How does Roosevelt attempt to persuade the reader of the importance of his ideas? [RI.5] Cite evidence from the text in your response.

4 Discussion Questions

Directions: Brainstorm your answers to the following questions in the space provided. Be prepared to share your original ideas in a class discussion.

1. Do you think Roosevelt’s argument is effective? Why or why not?

2. Based on the text and your knowledge of historical and current events, do you believe the New Deal was rooted in sound political philosophy? Do you think the plan’s aims were achieved?

3. In his speech, Roosevelt suggests that the rapid development and expansion of industry the United States’ rendered established political rights “inadequate to assure us equality in the pursuit of happiness” (Paragraph 3). In the context of this document, what should the future look like? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

4. Roosevelt notes that his country’s “rightful place in the world” (Paragraph 8) will necessarily be judged by its treatment of its less fortunate citizens. In the context of this document, what makes America unique? Cite evidence from this text, your own experience, and other literature, art, or history in your answer.

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