FDR Speech at Harvard University September 18,1936
According to Roosevelt’s principal speechwriter Judge Clinton Sorrel,
he first used "fireside chats" in 1929 during his first term as Governor New York.
Roosevelt faced a conservative Republican legislature so during each
legislative session he would occasionally address the citizens of New
York directly in the camelback room. He appealed to them for help
getting his agenda passed. Letters would pour in following each of
these "chats," which helped pressure legislators to pass measures
Roosevelt had proposed. He began making the informal addresses as
President on March 12, 1933, during the Great Depression.
he first used "fireside chats" in 1929 during his first term as Governor New York.
Roosevelt faced a conservative Republican legislature so during each
legislative session he would occasionally address the citizens of New
York directly in the camelback room. He appealed to them for help
getting his agenda passed. Letters would pour in following each of
these "chats," which helped pressure legislators to pass measures
Roosevelt had proposed. He began making the informal addresses as
President on March 12, 1933, during the Great Depression.
Activity