discussion President FDR: Hero or villain?

[Bears01]

President Franklin Delanor Roosevelt was well know as the American leader during the Great Depression and WWII. Known for enacting progressive policies that lifted Americans out of poverty, and enacting the social safety net to help workers, seniors, and the poor 

 

Often discussed as one of Americas greatest leaders, he’s also responsible for one of Americans most controversial actions: signing an Executive Order to jail Japense-Americans following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on 12/7/1941. 
 

Do you view him as a hero, or villain regarding history? 

[byzantium]

I feel like this binary does a disservice to who the person was.  FDR was a very notable figure in history with triumphs and flaws.

 

Glorifying him ignores his flaws, but villianizing him ignores the great things he accomplished.  For any historical figure we need to use language that humanizes these people and can account for the full person.  

Edited June 1, 2023 by byzantium

[Tropez]

Villain as he was an imperialist. 

[Nights]

I think he was safely a net positive contributor to the US and the world.

[Bears01]

49 minutes ago, Tropez said:

Villain as he was an imperialist. 

Compared to the following U.S. Presidents, he damn near looks like a saint, and was very very very reluctant to drag the U.S. into war though 

[Haus]

He was one of the best from a nation with a low bar. 

[Tropez]

2 hours ago, Bears01 said:

Compared to the following U.S. Presidents, he damn near looks like a saint, and was very very very reluctant to drag the U.S. into war though 

That’s an extremely low bar.