Anna Eleanor Roosevelt

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, the wife of the 32nd President of the United States, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, was an unusual The first lady, she is not a traditional White House hostess, but is recorded in history as an outstanding social activist, politician, diplomat and writer. One of the key factors in Eleanor Roosevelt's success was her marriage to Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

She served as the First Lady for 12 years, the longest period in American history. Eleanor Roosevelt was an extraordinary first lady. Her political and social activities, independent consciousness, public speaking and writing career were unmatched by other first ladies (even among American women in the 20th century). There is no one to compare with her). During this period, Eleanor essentially changed the traditional image of the White House hostess and became an active advocate of various social activities, an enthusiastic participant in political activities, a strong supporter of her husband's career, and a political partner. This phenomenon It was unprecedented and was imitated by subsequent first ladies.

Eleanor has been closely associated with politics since she married Franklin in 1905. As Franklin gradually worked towards the peak of political power, she also became interested in politics and began to participate in political activities. In this regard, she said: "I always think of everything in terms of what I should do, and rarely in terms of my personal wishes. Therefore, I became interested in politics. The duty of a wife is to be in harmony with her husband's The interests and hobbies remain the same, whether her husband likes politics, books or a certain kind of cuisine.” Therefore, as the wife of a politician, Eleanor fully supports her husband in all his activities. In 1910, she supported her husband's successful campaign and was elected as the senator from Dutchess County, New York. Her husband's victory prompted Eleanor's deepening relationship with politics. By participating in more political activities, Eleanor gradually learned to correctly evaluate various people and complex social relationships, and gradually understood how politics really works. At the same time, these activities enriched Eleanor's mind, made her feel the value of her existence, and prompted her to participate more actively in political activities. In 1912, Eleanor attended the Democratic National Convention for the first time, which gave her a further understanding of politics. In the same year, Franklin was appointed Assistant Secretary of the Navy for helping Wilson win the election. His political future was bright. At this time, Eleanor believed that she should help her husband and be his political assistant.

1. 1905-1918: The period of first involvement in politics

On the surface, their marriage was perfect. One was engaged in politics while the other was engaged in politics. ——Assisting the husband, the husband sings and the wife follows, which is a perfect match. Despite this, there were problems in their marriage. In 1918, Eleanor was shocked and disheartened when she discovered that her husband was in love with a woman named Lucy Page Mercer. The crisis in the marriage is mainly due to their different personalities. Franklin is confident, charming and sociable; while Eleanor is sincere, upright, principled and ideal. The qualities that brought them together in the first place have now become the source of their conflict. But neither of them would change themselves for each other, so after more than ten years of living together, cracks appeared in their marriage. The Lucy incident greatly affected Eleanor's self-esteem as a wife. She suddenly felt at a loss about her future. She said: "At this moment, my whole world has been turned upside down. For the first time in my life, I have truly come to the ground." To myself, to everything around me, to my world." This incident brought an end to the Roosevelts' intimate relationship as a couple, which was replaced by a political and career partnership. In response, their son Jimmy Roosevelt commented: "For the sake of social status, children, and future, they agreed to continue their marriage, but as business partners rather than husband and wife." [Their marriage continued, but to For Eleanor, this was a brand new road, which meant that she had gained some kind of relief. She no longer had to blindly cater to Franklin's needs. She could devote her precious energy to causes that interested her. It is not limited to the husband's political activities.

This was the period when Eleanor first entered politics. Before the marital crisis, although she had begun to participate in politics, she had never gained satisfaction from it, and at that time she was unable to break through the traditional role of a young wife and escape the constraints imposed on her by the forces of habit and her husband. Since discovering her husband's extramarital affair, she has been able to form a new and different partnership with him and be free to pursue a new path to success. This is a step-by-step process, a process of gradually letting go of the past and gaining self-confidence, a process of gradually establishing an equal political partnership with her husband while having her own political career.

2. 1919-1932: The Climbing Period

Although Eleanor and Franklin are very different in personality, they are a pair of political partners who work together tacitly. After the marriage crisis, they are still working hard for their political careers. In 1920, Eleanor participated in Franklin's campaign for vice president.

During the campaign, she showed her unique acumen and meticulous analytical skills on many issues. Her political talents during this period made the public opinion and political circles start to look at her with admiration. Unexpectedly, Franklin suffered from myelitis in 1921 and fell into despair. For Eleanor, this is undoubtedly a severe test. She knew that the only way to cheer up her husband was to keep him in politics, because he would never be willing to live in obscurity for the rest of his life. Moreover, she believes that politics requires a person’s mind, wisdom, eloquence, adaptability, and governance, followed by the body. Eleanor's life changed significantly as a result of her husband's illness, and she became closer to him to some extent, first as his carer and later as his political spokesman, taking his place in Participate in various conferences and events all over the place. As a member of the Democratic Party, Eleanor participated in the Women's Division of the Democratic State Committee and gave her first political speech in the spring of 1922. In 1924, Eleanor participated in Alfred Smith's campaign for governor of New York as head of the Women's Department of the Democratic Party. Her organizational and managerial skills during the campaign impressed professional politicians so much that Smith wanted to use her power to support the 1928 presidential campaign. The result of this series of activities was that Eleanor was more influential in the Democratic Party than her husband was when he accepted the Democratic nomination for governor of New York State. Regarding this experience, Eleanor later recalled: "My husband's illness forced me to finally be self-reliant. This illness changed my attitude towards his, mine and children's life." Eleanor described 1921 That winter of 1922 is portrayed as the most serious test of her life, which she withstood and emerged as a rising star in politics. In 1928, Franklin was elected governor of New York State with Eleanor's help. In the seven years from Franklin's paralysis to his election as the governor of New York State, Eleanor's political contributions and outstanding organizational skills made her one of the most influential politicians in New York. Her pragmatic spirit made a significant contribution to the Democratic Party and women's politics. Attention is drawn to the organization. The New York Times trumpeted her influence, calling her "a woman of political savvy and charisma."

As the governor's wife, on the one hand, Eleanor has her own career; on the other hand, she supports and helps her husband politically. During Franklin's four years as governor of New York, Eleanor and Franklin learned to help each other politically, approaching a professional collaboration between two statesmen. In 1930, Eleanor publicly commented on her marriage in front of reporters. She believed that a wife should play three main roles, namely partner, mother and housekeeper, of which the first role was the most important. "Today we know that everything depends on the harmony of the personal partnership between wife and husband," she said, emphasizing that mutual respect was an essential element of a successful marriage and that a woman should develop her own interests. In this light, the political partnership between Eleanor and Franklin has become one of the most memorable events in America since the Lucy Affair. By 1932, Eleanor had experienced several crises in her relationship with her husband, each of which threatened her dignity, but she withstood them and emerged stronger and more confident, prompting She achieved greater political success. This was Eleanor's time of great climbing. Eleanor's relationship with Franklin was strained due to his extramarital affair. But Franklin's illness in 1921 brought the two closer together. In order to save her husband's political life, Eleanor began to openly participate in various political activities and became his political spokesperson. This series of activities gave full play to Eleanor's political talents and was unanimously recognized and appreciated by politicians. In the struggle for the cause of communism, the relationship between their husbands and wives has become increasingly harmonious and harmonious. During her four-year career as the governor's wife, Eleanor became Franklin's "eyes and ears", reporting to him on the situation in various places and proposing solutions to problems. This made Eleanor increasingly mature in politics and prepared for her first post in 12 years. I have made full preparations for my career as a lady.

3. 1933-1945: Peak period of life

In 1932, Franklin Roosevelt was elected as the 32nd President of the United States, and Eleanor became the First Lady of the United States. The rights of the president's wife have shown her a new and broader scope of use. She must use the special status of the first lady to engage in the causes she believes in and meet the challenges of the times. She said: "There is a sense that we are moving forward without a purpose, that we are all in a torrent and no one knows where we will end up. What matters to me is our attitude towards what might happen. We We must be willing to bear and share possible mishaps with everyone in an optimistic spirit, and bravely face the future. "1933-1945 was a critical period for the survival of the United States. Eleanor complied with the requirements of the times and changed the traditional first lady's role. Image, actively participated in various political and social activities, performed many important political functions on behalf of the president, and played an important role in overcoming the economic crisis and the war against German fascism.

We can divide Eleanor's political activities during this period into two stages, namely the "New Deal" period (1933-1941) and the period when the United States participated in World War II (1941-1945).

(1) The "New Deal" period. The great economic crisis from 1929 to 1933 caused a severe economic recession in the United States, a sharp increase in the number of unemployed people, and social unrest. In order to overcome the crisis, Franklin announced the implementation of the "New Deal" when he took office. Eleanor is also looking for her own working methods and goals, hoping to contribute to the American people's victory over the crisis as First Lady. Moving from the Governor's Mansion to the White House, Eleanor gradually showed more independence. She said: "In the early days of my marriage, my life was mostly modeled by my mother-in-law. Later it was modeled by the children and Franklin. When the last child went to boarding school, I started to think about what I wanted to do. things, using my own thoughts and abilities to achieve my goals.” What is her goal? The primary goal is, of course, to support her husband in becoming a good president. In addition, she also had personal priorities, namely women's equal rights, black civil rights, and youth issues. In these areas, she was ahead of her husband and the country. Eleanor was an icon of American women of her time. As first lady, she fought for equal rights for American women. On her second day as first lady, she held her own press conference ahead of her husband, and only female reporters were allowed to attend. As a result, she became the first presidential lady to use the media. In this way, Eleanor wanted to prove to the United States of her time that women were not only concerned about family issues, but had their own opinions on all issues. During the "New Deal" period, her opinions and the information she provided played a major role in solving many social problems, such as youth unemployment, helping millions of poor families, and alleviating racial conflicts.

During this period, the political partnership between Eleanor and Franklin continued to strengthen. They discussed political issues of mutual concern, discussed the national situation, exchanged opinions on legislative and administrative issues, and talked about politics and Moral values, etc., this is not only their common cause, but also the source of their love as husband and wife. Since Eleanor could travel more easily than her husband, she often traveled in his place, providing him with private reports on conditions around the world. Eleanor traveled 40,000 miles in 1933 alone, and 68,000 kilometers the next year. People called her the "First Lady of Flying." Eleanor made important contributions to the "New Deal" in the 1930s. If Franklin is the "brain" of the "New Deal", then Eleanor is the "heart" of the "New Deal". They complement and reinforce each other. In this regard, Myra G. Gutin wrote: "Eleanor Roosevelt had a greater influence on presidential decision-making than any first lady before her. She belonged to her husband's administration and often served as his Conscience comes into play, especially when it comes to the 'New Deal.'" By 1940, Eleanor had been First Lady for eight years. During these eight years, she got up from 6 o'clock in the morning and worked until late at night, working diligently for social causes and becoming her husband's most important assistant and partner. She knew her work was respected by thousands of people and, most crucially, by Franklin.

During the 1940 presidential campaign, Eleanor became more involved in politics than ever before. Due to the impact of the international situation, Franklin unprecedentedly participated in the third presidential election. Due to the international situation at the time, Franklin easily won the nomination, but many delegates opposed his choice of running mate Henry Wallace. Due to various reasons, Franklin was unable to go to the venue in person to persuade the delegates, so Eleanor was invited to speak on his behalf. This was the first time in history that the wife of a presidential candidate delivered a speech at a national convention. Eleanor urged the delegates to merge all personal interests with the national interest. She said at the meeting: "You cannot regard this nomination as an ordinary nomination in ordinary times. Today, the American people must realize that we are facing "The next four years will be difficult for the president, so he needs someone he can trust to help him do his job." Her speech turned the convention around. situation, and finally Wallace was nominated. Eleanor played a key role in Franklin's third election. Some people even believe that without Eleanor's help, whether Franklin could break the 175-year historical tradition of the United States is another matter.

(2) During World War II. During World War II, as a mother and first lady, Eleanor sent all four sons to fight overseas on the one hand, and on the other hand, she assisted the president and led people from all walks of life across the country to join the anti-fascist war. During the war, Eleanor continued to adhere to the "New Deal" and believed that the United States could not abandon the "New Deal" because of the war, because the "New Deal" was also a war, a war against economic depression. She is still running around for the interests of women, advocating women to go out of the house and into factories, supporting the war, calling on women to participate in politics, and improving women's social status. To this end, Eleanor urged the establishment of special social service agencies to alleviate the burden of working mothers. At the same time, she required companies to resolutely implement the War Labor Commission and the new policy of "equal pay for equal work."

Eleanor was far ahead of her time in defending and supporting the movement for women to enter factory labor.

During the war, Eleanor held the official position of Deputy Director of the Office of Civil Rights, the first official position ever held by an American First Lady. Eleanor believed that civil rights protection meant not only managing protective bunkers and hospitals, but also looking after private homes, kindergartens and holiday facilities and strengthening social ethics. However, her views were criticized by conservatives, and she resigned under pressure from all parties. In this regard, she said: "I realized that it would be very unwise for someone like me to work in the government." After this, Eleanor participated in the campaign to promote the opening of the United States to European refugee children, and at the same time committed to To receive refugees fleeing to the United States, especially Jewish refugees. In 1941, due to Japan's attack on Pearl Harbor, a wave of anti-Japanese Americans began on the west coast of the United States. To stem the tide, Eleanor advised people not to cast unwarranted suspicion on innocent citizens but to protect civil liberties. Eleanor also worked to eliminate racial discrimination in the military.

During the war, African American soldiers who fought for democracy and peace were treated unfairly in the military because of race. Eleanor believed that civil rights, especially the rights of black Americans, were the touchstone of American democracy. Without the democracy of black Americans, there would be no real democracy in the United States, so she constantly put pressure on officials of the U.S. Army and Navy to promote the abolish racial discrimination in China. The racial policies of the Army and Navy changed significantly during the war, and by the end of the war only one important step had been taken to ensure true equality for black soldiers. This important step finally came in 1948, when President Truman issued Executive Order 9981, ending racial segregation in the military. In this regard, Eleanor's contribution is indelible. During the war, Eleanor also played an important role in diplomacy. Although Franklin was the commander-in-chief of the three armies, he could not go out often due to his physical disability. Therefore, Eleanor often performed this function in his place and visited many times. In 1942, for example, she visited Britain to see American Allied forces fighting there. The visit was so successful that journalist Chalmers Roberts wrote: "Mrs. Roosevelt brought more of a true spirit of understanding to the British people than any other American who had ever visited Britain." In 1943, Ellie Noau visited American soldiers fighting in the South Pacific and visited U.S. allies Australia and New Zealand. Her personality is most touchingly reflected on this trip. As a skilled politician, her charm conquered journalists, soldiers, parliamentarians, housewives, farmers and factory workers, and her depiction of a better world aroused people's longing. In 1944, she visited U.S. bases in the Caribbean and Central America. Eleanor's visit greatly improved the morale of the army, and she also won the respect and love of the officers and soldiers. The Akland Star said she was "dedicated to a better life for the people of the United States and the world. There is no more famous woman in the world, including the most charismatic female movie star of all time." It was the peak period of Eleanor's political career. The position of the President's wife provides her with a broad scope for activities, and she has fully exercised this function and achieved unprecedented political achievements. Eleanor was a person who dared to be unconventional. Among all the first ladies, she was the first to hold regular press conferences, write articles for newspaper columns every day, publish several monographs, tour the country to give lectures, and host A First Lady who has held national conferences in the White House, addressed national conventions of social reform organizations, given center stage at Democratic presidential conferences, and represented her country abroad across battlefields. In short, due to domestic and foreign factors during this period, Eleanor was deeply involved in political and social activities. Coupled with her own political talents, her political career reached its peak.

4. 1945-1962: Recreating the Glorious Period

On April 12, 1945, Franklin passed away, and Eleanor ended her career as first lady. Eleanor felt lonely and helpless after losing her husband. Although they were not as loving as other couples on the surface, his life was her main source of strength and her spiritual pillar in the past 40 years. They made an odd pair, she the agitator, he the politician, bound together by an inseparable bond and drawing strength from each other. Their son Jimmy Roosevelt commented: "What is true is that there was a deep and unshakeable affection and tenderness between them." Eleanor had withstood the loss of her husband and by this time had forgiven Of him, she said: "All people have faults, all have needs, hobbies and difficulties. Men and women who have lived together for many years have come to know each other's shortcomings, but they have also come to know the people who live with them. What is worthy of respect and admiration in people and themselves?"

Leaving the White House does not mean the end of political activities. Eleanor will continue to fight for Franklin and her own communist ideals. . She said: "The struggle of the human soul is extremely meaningful, and its purpose is to achieve a state of spiritual perfection and to devote selfless love to one's own interests and to the interests of all those who work together in the world." 1945 The spring of 2010 was a new beginning for Eleanor. She began to participate more extensively in various political activities and resumed her work - writing daily columns, traveling and answering letters from various places after her husband's death. letter.

For nearly 20 years, she remained an important figure in American public life. Eleanor lived 17 years longer than her husband. During this period, she was very active in politics, made great achievements, and created new political glory. She has published many articles focusing on young people and pressing minority issues. In December 1945, President Truman appointed her as head of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations and chairman of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. In addition, she traveled extensively and made goodwill visits to India, Japan, Morocco and many other countries. She is a member of the International League of Colored People, an organization that opposes discrimination against black people and supports people of color. She also helped found Democracy Action for America, a group of liberal democrats. In 1952 and 1956, she actively supported Democratic presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson. In 1957, she went to the Soviet Union to meet with Khrushchev. At Khrushchev's villa in Yalta, they discussed the values ??of capitalism and socialism. In September 1960, she went to Warsaw to attend the 15th World Congress of United Nations Affiliates held there. During the Congress, she visited Krakow, held a press conference in Seim, participated in discussions at the Polish University of International Affairs, and met with Polish Foreign Minister Adam Lapage. In 1961, President Kennedy appointed her head of the U.S. delegation to the United Nations. She was also appointed head of the peace group and chairperson of the Committee on Women's Rights.

This was Eleanor's period of political glory. She is no longer the first lady of the United States, but an independent political activist, which has made her post-White House career unparalleled. Her important contribution when she was first lady made many politicians want to use her political power to carry out political activities. Kennedy once used Eleanor's influence in American politics to run for president, and appointed her after he was elected. government officials. As a member of the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, Eleanor presided over the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This historical document has won praise from people all over the world. In the last two years of her life, Eleanor suffered from physical pain, but her passion for work hardly diminished. She fought leukemia while speaking out for racial equality, world peace and women's rights.

Eleanor worked for the people until the end of her life. She died of leukemia on November 7, 1962, at the age of 78. Regarding the news of Eleanor's death, the New York Times added this headline: "She is a symbol of the new role of women in the world." Writer Adlai Stevenson wrote: "She always lit up in the face of darkness. A beacon of light, rather than a curse, her enthusiasm warmed the world." Although Eleanor passed away, she was one of the famous female politicians in the United States and even the world in the 20th century. As the drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, she Will always be admired and missed by the world. Eleanor Roosevelt's life was an extraordinary one. She pursued independence and beautiful ideals throughout her life, and became closely associated with politics. She became one of the most outstanding women in the United States and even the world in the 20th century.

The reason why Eleanor embarked on the political path and achieved so much achievement is closely related to her marital status. Her marriage to Franklin Roosevelt heralded Eleanor's lifelong connection with politics. As the wife of a politician, she gradually became involved in her husband's political activities. However, the Lucy incident in 1918 led to the end of their intimate relationship as a couple, but it prompted Eleanor to truly embark on the road to politics. In 1921, although Franklin's physical disability brought a shadow to the entire family, it made up for their emotional gap. At the same time, Franklin's paralysis provided an opportunity for Eleanor to enter politics. She became his political spokesperson and participated in various political and social activities on his behalf. During these events, Eleanor's political skills and expertise were recognized by politicians, so much so that her reputation was once even greater than that of Franklin. In 1928, Eleanor helped her husband successfully be elected governor of New York State. In this regard, Molly Duson said: "Mrs. Roosevelt played a key role in Franklin's election." In 1932, Franklin was elected president of the United States before the great economic crisis, which provided Eleanor with greater activities. space.

Eleanor’s 12-year career as first lady was a period of political glory. She changed the traditional image of the first lady and appeared as an active participant in political and social activities and a partner of the president. before the American people. After Franklin's death, Eleanor remained active in politics to realize their common ideals and became recognized as the "First Lady of the World." Although Eleanor and Franklin had very different personalities, they were both passionate about politics, and politics sustained their relationship for a full 40 years. For the same cause, they helped and supported each other, achieved great success, and jointly entered the hall of world celebrities. American historian Royce Schaff commented: "She was indeed helpful to him, but he was also helpful to her. He provided her with a stage on which she displayed her unparalleled talents and A quality of character that has commanded the widest recognition and respect that few presidents, and no other first lady, has ever displayed on this stage as fully as they did in lesser-known ways. He is also her motivation.

"Eleanor and Franklin spent 40 years together, and their marriage also went through many twists and turns. Franklin's betrayal in his early years made Eleanor give up her yearning for a beautiful marriage, but she never regretted marrying Franklin, but Choosing another way to express love - helping him in politics. This kind of love is indispensable to Franklin, who regards politics as his life, and it cannot be replaced by others. Maybe life is like this, and there will be mistakes. Yes, without this kind of marriage, Eleanor might not have embarked on the road to politics, let alone become one of the famous women in the United States.