Eleanor Roosevelt

Franklin, the 32nd President of the United States? Delano? Roosevelt's wife-Anna? Eleanor. Roosevelt was an unusual first lady. She went down in history not as the traditional hostess of the White House, but as an outstanding social activist, politician, diplomat and writer. Eleanor. A key factor in Roosevelt's great achievements is that she and Franklin? Delano? Roosevelt's marriage.

She became the first lady with 12, the highest in American history. Eleanor. Roosevelt was an extraordinary first lady, whose political and social activities, independent consciousness, public speaking and writer career were unmatched by other first ladies (even among American women in the 20th century). 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 staunch supporter of her husband's career and a political partner. This phenomenon was unprecedented and was followed by the later First Lady.

Since 1905 married Franklin, Eleanor has had an indissoluble bond with politics. During Franklin's gradual efforts to reach 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 consider everything from the perspective of what I should do, and rarely follow my own wishes. Therefore, I became interested in politics. The wife's duty is to be consistent with her husband's hobbies, whether he likes politics, books or a dish. " Therefore, as a politician's wife, Eleanor fully supports all her husband's activities. 19 10, she supported her husband's successful election and was elected to the Senate of Dachis County, New York. Her husband's victory promoted the deepening of Eleanor's relationship with politics. By participating in more political activities, Eleanor gradually learned to correctly evaluate all kinds of people and complex social relations, 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 urged her to participate in political activities more actively. 19 12. Eleanor attended the Democratic National Congress for the first time, which made her have a further understanding of politics. In the same year, Franklin was appointed assistant secretary of the navy for helping Wilson win the general election, and his political future was bright. At this time, Eleanor thought that she should lend a helping hand to her husband and be his political assistant.

1.1905—1918: the period of entering politics.

On the surface, their marriage is perfect, one is engaged in politics; A master-assisting her husband, who sings with her, can be described as a perfect match. Nevertheless, their marriage still went wrong. Eleanor found out that her husband was in love with a woman named Lucy? Peggy? Mersel woman, at that time, she was extremely shocked and disheartened. The crisis in marriage is mainly due to their different personalities. Franklin was confident, charming and sociable. Eleanor, on the other hand, is sincere and upright, stressing principles and ideals. These qualities make them fall in love and unite, but now, these qualities have become the root of their conflict. But neither of them will change themselves for each other, so after living together for more than ten years, their marriage has cracked. Lucy's incident dealt a great blow to Eleanor's self-esteem as a wife. She was suddenly at a loss about her future. She said, "At this moment, my whole world turned upside down. For the first time in my life, I really faced myself, everything around me and my world. " This incident ended the close relationship between the Roosevelt couple and replaced it with political and career cooperation. In this regard, their son Jimmy? Roosevelt commented: "For the sake of social status, children and future, they agreed to continue their marriage, but as business partners, not as husband and wife." Their marriage continued, but for Eleanor, it was a brand-new road, which meant that she got some relief and no longer needed to blindly cater to Franklin's needs. She can devote her precious energy to the career she is interested in, instead of being confined to her husband's political activities.

This is the period when Eleanor first set foot in politics. Before the marriage crisis, although she began to participate in politics, she never got satisfaction from it. For a time, she could not break through the traditional role of a young wife and get rid of the shackles of customary forces and her husband. After discovering her husband's extramarital affairs, she can establish a new partnership with him that is different from the past and freely pursue a new road to success. This is a gradual process, a process of gradually giving up the past and gaining self-confidence, a process of gradually establishing an equal political partnership with her husband and having her own political career.

Second,1919-1932: bravely climb the peak period.

Although Eleanor and Franklin have different personalities, they are a pair of political partners with tacit cooperation. After the marriage crisis, they are still running for political career. 1920, Eleanor took part in Franklin's campaign for vice president. During the campaign, she showed unique sensitivity and meticulous analytical ability on many issues. During this period, her political talents made public opinion and political circles start to look at her with new eyes. Unforeseen things happened. Franklin suffered from myelitis at 192 1 and once fell into despair. For Eleanor, this is undoubtedly a severe test. She knows that the only way to cheer her husband up is to let him continue to be in politics, because he will never want to live in obscurity. Moreover, she believes that what politics needs is a person's mind, wisdom, eloquence, adaptability and the way of governing the country, and the body is second. Eleanor's life has changed obviously because of her husband's illness. To some extent, she became closer to him, first as his caregiver, and later as his political spokesperson, taking his place in various meetings and activities. As a member of the Democratic Party, Eleanor participated in the work of the Women's Department of the Democratic State Committee and delivered her first political speech in the spring of 1922. 1924, Eleanor, as the Minister of Women's Department of the Democratic Party, attended Alfred? Smith's campaign for governor of New York. Her organization and management ability in the election left a deep impression on professional politicians, so that Smith wanted to use her strength to run for the 1928 presidential election. As a result of this series of activities, Eleanor surpassed her husband in the Democratic Party when she accepted the Democratic Party's nomination for the governor of New York. Eleanor later recalled this experience: "My husband's illness forced me to be self-reliant, which changed my attitude towards his life, my life and my children." Eleanor described the winter from 192 1 to 1922 as the most severe test of her life. She stood the test and gradually became a new star in politics. 1928, with the help of Eleanor, Franklin was elected governor of New York. During the seven years from Franklin's paralysis to her election as the governor of New York, Eleanor's political contributions and excellent organizational skills made her one of the most influential politicians in new york, and her pragmatic spirit attracted the attention of the Democratic Party and women's political organizations. The New York Times trumpeted her influence, calling her "a woman with political mind and attraction".

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, which is close to the professional cooperation between the two politicians. 1930, Eleanor publicly commented on her marriage in front of reporters. She believes that a wife should play three main roles, namely, partner, mother and housekeeper, of which the first role is the most important. She said: "Today, we know that everything depends on whether the personal partnership between wife and husband is harmonious." She emphasized that mutual respect is the basic element of a happy marriage, and women should cultivate their hobbies. Accordingly, since the Lucy incident, the political partnership between Eleanor and Franklin has become one of the most impressive events for Americans. By 1932, the relationship between Eleanor and her husband had gone through several crises, each of which threatened her dignity, but she withstood these tests, became stronger and more confident, and made her more successful politically. This is the time for Eleanor to climb bravely. Because of Franklin's extramarital affairs, Eleanor's relationship with him was once tense. But at 192 1, Franklin's illness narrowed the distance between them. In order to keep her husband's political life, Eleanor began to participate in various political activities openly 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 common cause, the relationship between their husband and wife is getting more and more harmonious. During her four-year career as the governor's wife, Eleanor became Franklin's "eyes and ears", reporting to him about the local situation and proposing solutions to the problems, which made Eleanor politically mature and fully prepared for her career as the first lady for 12 years.

1933- 1945: the peak of life.

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 showed her a new and broader place to use. She will take advantage of the special status of the first lady to engage in the cause she believes in and meet the challenges of the times. She said: "People feel that they are moving aimlessly. We are all in the rapids, and no one knows where we will land. In my opinion, what matters is our attitude towards what may happen. We must be willing to share possible accidents with you in an optimistic spirit and bravely meet the future. " 1933- 1945 is a crucial period for the survival of the United States. Eleanor complied with the requirements of the times, changed the image of the traditional first lady, actively participated in various political and social activities, performed many important political functions instead of the president, and played an important role in overcoming the economic crisis and the German fascist war. We can divide Eleanor's political activities in this period into two stages, namely, the New Deal (1933- 194 1) and America's participation in World War II (1941-kloc-0/945).

(1) "New Deal" period. 1929- 1933 The great economic crisis led to a serious economic downturn in the United States, a sharp increase in unemployment and social unrest. In order to overcome the crisis, Franklin announced the implementation of the "New Deal" as soon as he took office. Eleanor is also looking for her own working methods and goals, hoping to contribute to the American people in overcoming the crisis as the first lady. Moving from the governor's residence to the White House, Eleanor gradually showed more independence. She said: "At the beginning of my marriage, my life style was mostly my mother-in-law's. Later, the child and Franklin made a model. When the last child entered boarding school, I began to want to do something I wanted to do and use my own ideas and abilities to achieve my goals. " What's her goal? Of course, the primary goal is to support her husband as a good president. In addition, she also has personal emphases, namely, women's equal rights, black civil rights and youth issues. In these respects, she is ahead of her husband and the whole country. Eleanor was a symbol of American women in her time. As the first lady, she has been fighting for equal rights for American women. On the second day of becoming the first lady, she held her own press conference in front of her husband, and only female journalists were allowed to attend. As a result, she became the first president's wife to use the media. In this way, Eleanor wanted to prove to the United States of her time that women not only cared about family issues, but also had their own views on all issues. During the New Deal, her views and information played an important role in solving many social problems, such as youth unemployment, helping millions of poor families and easing ethnic conflicts.

During this period, the political partnership between Eleanor and Franklin was constantly strengthened. They discuss political issues of common concern, discuss the national situation, exchange views on legislative and administrative issues, and talk about political and moral values. This is not only their common cause, but also the source of their love. Because it is more convenient for Eleanor to travel outside than her husband, she often travels instead of her husband and provides him with private reports on the situation around the world. Eleanor traveled 40,000 miles on 1933 and 68,000 kilometers the next year. People call her "the first lady of flying". Eleanor made great contributions to the New Deal in 1930s. If Franklin is the "brain" of the New Deal, then Eleanor is the "heart" of the New Deal. They complement each other. For this, Myra? g？ Gu Ting wrote, "Eleanor? Roosevelt had more influence on the president's decision-making than any first lady before her. She belongs to her husband's government and often plays the role of his conscience, especially when it comes to the' New Deal'. " By 1940, Eleanor had been the first lady for eight years. In these eight years, she got up at 6 o'clock every morning and worked until late at night, dutifully working for social undertakings and becoming her husband's most important assistant and partner. She knew that her work was respected by thousands of people, and most importantly, by Franklin.

In the presidential election of 1940, Eleanor participated in politics more deeply than ever before. Due to the influence of the international situation, Franklin participated in the third presidential election as never before. Because of the international situation at that time, Franklin was easily nominated, but many delegates opposed his choice of running mate Henry? Wallace. For various reasons, Franklin was unable to convince the delegates in person, so Eleanor was invited to speak on her behalf, which was the first time in history that the wife of a presidential candidate spoke at the national congress. Eleanor urged the delegates to integrate all their personal interests into the national interests. She said at the meeting: "You can't treat this nomination as an ordinary nomination at ordinary times. Today, the American people must realize that we are facing an extremely serious situation. " "The next four years will be difficult for the president, so he needs someone he trusts to help him with his work. This person is Wallace. " Her speech reversed the situation at the conference, and Wallace was finally nominated. Eleanor played a key role in Franklin's third election. Some people even think that it is another matter whether Franklin can break the American historical tradition of 175 without Eleanor's help.

(2) During World War II. During World War II, as a mother and first lady, Eleanor sent all her four sons to fight overseas on the one hand, and helped the president and led people from all walks of life in the anti-fascist war on the other. During the war, Eleanor continued to adhere to the "New Deal" and believed that the United States could not give up the "New Deal" because it was also a war, a war against economic depression. She is still running for women's interests, advocating women to go out of the house and into the factory, supporting the war, and calling on women to participate in politics and improve their social status. To this end, Eleanor urged the establishment of special social service institutions to reduce the burden on working mothers, and at the same time asked the company to resolutely implement the War Labor Committee and the new policy of "equal pay for equal work".

Eleanor is far ahead of the times in defending and supporting women's work in factories. During the war, Eleanor took the official position of deputy director of the Civil Rights Protection Office, which was the first time that the first lady of the United States took the official position. Eleanor believes that protecting citizens' rights and interests not only means managing protective bunkers and hospitals, but also means taking care of private houses, kindergartens and holiday facilities and strengthening social morality. However, her views were criticized by conservatives, and she resigned under pressure from all sides. In this regard, she said: "I realize that it is unwise for people like me to work in the government." Later, Eleanor took part in the movement to promote the United States to open its doors to European refugee children, and at the same time devoted herself to receiving refugees who fled to the United States, especially Jewish refugees. 194 1 year, an anti-Japanese and anti-American wave was launched on the west coast of the United States due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. In order to curb this wave, Eleanor suggested that people should not have unwarranted doubts about innocent citizens, but should protect civil liberties. Eleanor has also been committed to eliminating racial discrimination in the military.

During the war, black American soldiers who fought for democracy and peace were treated unfairly in the army because of their race. Eleanor believes that civil rights, especially the rights of African Americans, are the touchstone of American democracy. Without African-American democracy, there would be no real democracy in the United States, so she kept putting pressure on army and navy officials to abolish racial discrimination in the army. During the war, Lu Haijun's racial policy changed greatly. At the end of the war, only one important step is needed to ensure the true equality of black soldiers. This important step was finally realized in 1948, when President Truman issued executive order 998 1, ending apartheid in the army. Eleanor's contribution in this respect is indelible. During the war, Eleanor also played an important role in the diplomatic field. Although Franklin was the commander-in-chief of the three armed forces, he could not go out often because of his physical disability. Therefore, Eleanor often performs this function in his place and visits him many times. For example, 1942, she went to Britain to watch the American allies fighting there. The visit was a great success. Reporter Chalmers? Roberds wrote: "Compared with other Americans who have visited Britain, Mrs. Roosevelt has brought more real understanding to the British people." 1943, Eleanor visited American soldiers fighting in the South Pacific and visited American allies Australia and New Zealand. Her personality is the most touching reflection of this trip. As an experienced politician, her charm has conquered journalists, soldiers, parliamentarians, housewives, farmers and factory workers, and her description of the beautiful world has aroused people's yearning. 1944, she visited American 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 officers and men. The Akram Star said that she was "committed to creating a better life for the American people and the people of the world". There is no more famous woman in the world, including all the most attractive film actresses. "This is the pinnacle of Eleanor's political career. The position of the president's wife provided her with a broad space for activities, and she also fully exercised this function and achieved unprecedented political achievements. Eleanor is a person who dares to be unconventional. Among all the first ladies, she is the first to hold regular press conferences, write articles for newspaper columns every day, publish several monographs, give lectures all over the country, preside over the national conference held at the White House, give a speech at the national conference organized by social reform organizations, give a central speech at the Democratic presidential conference, and represent her country on foreign battlefields. In short, during this period, due to domestic and foreign factors, Eleanor was deeply involved in political and social activities, and her political career reached its peak.

Four. 1945 ——1962: recreate the glorious period.

1945 April 12, Franklin died, and Eleanor ended her first lady career. Eleanor felt lonely and helpless after losing her husband. Although they are not as loving as other couples on the surface, his life is her main source of strength and spiritual pillar in the past 40 years. They made a strange couple. She is an agitator, while he is a politician. They are inextricably linked and draw strength from each other. Their son Jimmy? Roosevelt commented on this: "The real situation is that they have deep and unshakable feelings and tenderness." Eleanor survived the loss of her husband, and now she has forgiven him. She said, "Everyone has shortcomings, and everyone has needs, hobbies and difficulties. Men and women who have lived together for many years have begun to understand each other's shortcomings, but they have also begun to know what people who live with them and themselves deserve respect and admiration. "

Leaving the White House does not mean the end of political activities. Eleanor will continue to fight for Franklin and her common ideal. She said: "The struggle of the human soul is of great significance, and its purpose is to achieve spiritual perfection and dedicate selfless love to personal interests and the interests of all people who work together in the world." The spring of 1945 is a new starting point for Eleanor. She began to participate in various political activities more widely, and resumed her work-writing daily columns, traveling and answering letters sent from all over the world after her husband died. In the past 20 years, she will remain an important figure in American public life. Eleanor outlived her husband 17 years. During this period, her political activities were very frequent, and she made great achievements and created political glory again. She has published many articles, focusing on the urgent problems of young people and ethnic minorities. 1945 15 In February, President Truman appointed her as the head of the American delegation to the United Nations and the chairman of the United Nations Commission on Human Rights. In addition, she has visited many countries, including India, Japan and Morocco. She is a member of the International Alliance for Colored People, which opposes discrimination against blacks and supports colored people. She also helped to establish the American Democratic Action Organization with the participation of the Liberal Democrats. In 1952 and 1956, she actively supported the democratic presidential candidate Adlai? Stevenson campaign. 1957, she went to the Soviet union for talks with Khrushchev. In Yalta Khrushchev's villa, they discussed the values of capitalism and socialism. 1960 In September, she went to Warsaw to attend the United Nations 15 World Congress. During the meeting, she visited Krakow, held a press conference in Sem, participated in discussions at the Polish University of International Affairs, and met with Polish Foreign Minister Adam? Lapac. 196 1 year, President Kennedy appointed her as the head of the American delegation to the United Nations, and she was also appointed as the head of the Peace Group and the chairman of the Women's Rights Committee.

This is a period when Eleanor made great achievements in politics. She is no longer the first lady of the United States, but an independent political activist, which has had an unparalleled impact on her post-White House career. Her important contribution as the first lady has made many politicians want to use her political power to carry out political activities. Kennedy used Eleanor's influence in American politics to run for president and appointed her as a government official after her election. As a member of the American delegation to the United Nations, Eleanor presided over the drafting of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which was well received by people all over the world. In the last two years of Eleanor's life, her body suffered a lot, but her enthusiasm for work hardly diminished. While fighting leukemia, she speaks for racial equality, world peace and women's rights.

Eleanor worked for the people until the last moment of her life. 1962165438+1died of leukemia on October 7th at the age of 78. On the news of Eleanor's death, The New York Times added the following title: "She is a symbol of the new role of women in the world." Writer Adlai? Stevenson wrote: "In the face of darkness, she always lights a lamp instead of cursing it. Her enthusiasm warmed the whole world. " Although Eleanor passed away, as one of the famous female politicians in the United States and the world in the 20th century, and as the drafter of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, she will always be admired and remembered by the world. Eleanor. Roosevelt's life was extraordinary. She pursued the ideal of independence and beauty all her life, and formed an indissoluble bond with politics, becoming 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 road and made such great achievements is closely related to her marital status. With Franklin? Roosevelt's marriage showed that Eleanor's life was linked to politics. As a politician's wife, she gradually participated in her husband's political activities. However, although the Lucy incident of 19 18 led to the end of their close relationship, it really put Eleanor on the road to politics. 192 1 year, Franklin's physical disability brought a shadow to the whole family, but made up for their emotional barriers. At the same time, Franklin's paralysis provided Eleanor with an opportunity to enter politics. She became his political spokesperson and took part in various political and social activities instead of him. In these activities, Eleanor's political talent and professional knowledge were recognized by politicians, making her reputation once bigger than Franklin's. From 65438 to 0928, Eleanor helped her husband to be elected governor of New York. In this regard, Molly? Dusen said: "Mrs. Roosevelt played a key role in Franklin's election." 1932 Franklin was elected president of the United States before the economic crisis, which provided Eleanor with more room for activities.

Eleanor's career as the first lady in 12 was a glorious political period. She changed the image of the traditional first lady and appeared in front of the American people as an active participant in political and social activities and a partner of the president. After Franklin's death, Eleanor remained active in politics, realized their common ideal and became recognized as "the first lady in the world". Although Eleanor and Franklin had different personalities, they were both keen on politics, which kept their relationship for 40 years. For the common cause, they helped and supported each other, achieved great success, and entered the world celebrity hall together. American historian Royce? Shaf commented on this: "She really helped him, but he also helped her. He provided a stage for her. On this stage, she showed her unparalleled talent and personality and won the most extensive recognition and respect. Few presidents and other first ladies have performed so vividly on this stage. In some little-known ways, just as she is his motivation, he is also her motivation. " Eleanor and Franklin have been together for 40 years, and their marriage has experienced many twists and turns. Franklin's early death made Eleanor give up her dream of a beautiful marriage, but she never regretted marrying Franklin, but chose another way to express her love-helping him politically. This kind of love is indispensable for Franklin, who has been in politics all his life, and it is irreplaceable by others. Perhaps life is like this. Without this marriage, Eleanor may not have embarked on the road of politics, let alone become one of the famous American women.