Crise 1929

« Introduction Franklin Delano Roosevelt's "Fireside Chats" represent a revolution in American presidential communication.

Through the analysis of George Segal's statue at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, we will see how these radio speeches transformed the relationship between the State and citizens during the Great Depression. 1.

The dramatic context of the 1929 crisis The 1929 crisis, beginning with the Wall Street crash on October 24, 1929, plunged the United States into an unprecedented economic depression.

Within a few years, American industrial production fell by half, thousands of banks went bankrupt, and unemployment reached 25% of the active population.

Millions of Americans found themselves without work or shelter, and shantytowns (slums) appeared in cities.

The population had to survive without any social protection in the face of this economic and social catastrophe. It was in this desperate context that Franklin Delano Roosevelt was elected in 1933, with the mission to restore hope and revive the American economy. 2.

The Fireside Chats: a revolutionary innovation Faced with this crisis, Roosevelt launched the New Deal to stimulate the economy, but above all, he created a direct link with the population through his famous "Fireside Chats". These radio speeches, with their familiar and comforting tone, allowed the president to address millions of Americans directly in their homes. These interventions were essential because they made it possible to clearly explain complex government measures, reassure the population, and fight against panic and rumors. Roosevelt presented his policies and addressed concerns with a simple and warm tone, creating an unprecedented sense of closeness for the time.

Through this sincere and educational communication, he was able to calm fears, mobilize citizens, and restore hope during a particularly critical period in American history.

Radio thus became the main link between the government and citizens in times of crisis. 3.

George Segal's statue: materializing listening and hope Description of the work At the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, George Segal, a 20th-century American artist, created a striking sculpture: it represents an ordinary citizen sitting on a chair, leaning toward a radio placed in front of him.

His pose is calm and attentive, and his simple clothes recall the modest condition of the population affected by the crisis.

Segal's characteristic style, using plaster bandages, accentuates the human and universal dimension of this listening scene. The quote "I never forget that I live in.... »