Study Questions

Adam Cohen
Nothing to Fear:
FDR's Inner Circle and the Hundred Days that Created Modern America

  1. Cohen notes in his introduction that Franklin D. Roosevelt often gets full credit for the landmark programs of his famous first Hundred Days in office. Nothing to Fear attempts to correct that reputation. What "philosophy" lay behind FDR's actions? What were FDR's strengths as a President? What were his weaknesses? On what basis did he choose his Cabinet and his advisors? How did he make his decisions? To what degree was he responsible for the shape and content of the New Deal?

  2. What New Deal programs did FDR favor? Which one did he originate himself? Which ones did he actually oppose, at least at the beginning?

  3. For each of these main figures in the formation of the New Deal, be prepared to answer the following questions: Describe the person's background and its influence on ideals and ideas. Which were religious, and how did religion shape their life and goals? Which were most affected by the ideals and movements of the Progressive Era, such as the settlement house movement? How did they come to be chosen to be in FDR's administration? Characterize their relationships with FDR, and how well or closely they worked with him. What was the main accomplishment(s) of each person as a member of the administration? Which of these individuals do you think were most successful? Least successful?
    --Raymond Moley
    --Lewis Douglas
    --Henry Wallace
    --Frances Perkins
    --Harry Hopkins

  4. How successful were the Hundred Days in ending the Depression? How have the programs of the New Deal shaped contemporary America?

  5. Even though FDR did not have a filibuster-proof Congress, Republicans did not try to stop his legislative agenda, and often voted for it. Why?

  6. How did major power groups in the American economy--Wall Street banks, industrialists, and labor leaders--feel about the New Deal at the time?