Power and Influence

Franklin D. Roosevelt

By: Daren Bradshaw

 

There have been many Presidents through our countries great history to use a variety of leadership styles to achieve what they thought was best for our country at that point in time. All Presidents had power, but in a lot of cases it was more legitimate power due to the positions that they held. There are few Presidents in our Nation’s history that not only had great power but were also great leaders. One of those Presidents was Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Roosevelt led this nation through some of the toughest times in its entire existence. He led them through the Great Depressions and World War II, both which our Nation was triumphant in overcoming the adversity at hand. Of course he, like all other Presidents had legitimate power but that wasn’t enough to accomplish what he did during his time in office. Roosevelt also demonstrated referent power as well as expert power which allowed him to persuade a nation due to his experience and how much everyone admired him. When he was diagnosed with polio it only strengthened his power in the political system in the eyes of the people. They felt they could relate to him as he appeared to be human just like them, which allowed him to be very successful in politics. During his time President Roosevelt was able to implement economic reform policies such as the New Deal which would change the frame work of our country for years to come. Roosevelt was also in office during the bombing of Pearl Harbor where he made the executive decision to enter World War II. These are just a few of the many great things that Roosevelt did during his time in office all of which exemplify his power and influence.