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32nd President. Typed letter signed “Franklin D. Roosevelt” AS PRESIDENT, January 9, 1941, The White House Washington stationery, to Charles M. Hay, who was a Democratic politician from Missouri who would later serve on the War Manpower Commission, in full:
I was delighted to receive your message. What you say about the radio address is indeed gratifying and I appreciate having your kind word of approval.
Mailing fold, else fine.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous "Arsenal of Democracy" fireside chat on December 29, 1940, to prepare the American public for a massive industrial mobilization ahead of World War II. In this national radio broadcast, FDR warned that a victorious Germany would pose an immediate and existential threat to the security of the United States. He argued that the most effective way to keep America out of the actual fighting was to aggressively supply Great Britain and its allies with military equipment, famously declaring that the nation must become the "great arsenal of democracy." Ultimately, the speech successfully framed industrial defense production not as a prelude to war, but as a critical strategy to maintain American peace and security.
According to research via the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hay sent a telegram to FDR on December 30, 1940, reading:
“Your great speech should allay opposition - whether loyal or otherwise - and bring you loyal support from all friends of Democracy. You are exactly right. God bless you.”
32nd President. Typed letter signed “Franklin D. Roosevelt” AS PRESIDENT, January 9, 1941, The White House Washington stationery, to Charles M. Hay, who was a Democratic politician from Missouri who would later serve on the War Manpower Commission, in full:
I was delighted to receive your message. What you say about the radio address is indeed gratifying and I appreciate having your kind word of approval.
Mailing fold, else fine.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt delivered his famous "Arsenal of Democracy" fireside chat on December 29, 1940, to prepare the American public for a massive industrial mobilization ahead of World War II. In this national radio broadcast, FDR warned that a victorious Germany would pose an immediate and existential threat to the security of the United States. He argued that the most effective way to keep America out of the actual fighting was to aggressively supply Great Britain and its allies with military equipment, famously declaring that the nation must become the "great arsenal of democracy." Ultimately, the speech successfully framed industrial defense production not as a prelude to war, but as a critical strategy to maintain American peace and security.
According to research via the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library, Hay sent a telegram to FDR on December 30, 1940, reading:
“Your great speech should allay opposition - whether loyal or otherwise - and bring you loyal support from all friends of Democracy. You are exactly right. God bless you.”