USCIS 128:105. Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?

OpenAI. (2026). Who was president during the Great Depression and World War II?    [AI-generated infographic]. OpenAI.  Edited by Jennifer Gagliardi

President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the president of the United States during both the Great Depression and most of World War II. He is often called FDR. Roosevelt was born in 1882 and became president in 1933.

When Roosevelt became president, the country was facing the Great Depression. Millions of Americans had lost their jobs, many banks had failed, and families struggled to buy food and pay rent.

Roosevelt introduced programs called the New Deal to help the country recover. These programs created jobs, helped workers and farmers, supported banks, and gave aid to poor families.

Some New Deal programs still affect Americans today. One important example is Social Security, created in 1935. Social Security provides money to many retired people, disabled workers, and some families after a worker dies. Millions of Americans still receive Social Security benefits today.

Another important program was the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). The FDIC protects money in bank accounts if a bank fails. Because of the FDIC, many Americans feel safer keeping money in banks.

The New Deal also created jobs programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Workers built roads, parks, bridges, schools, and public buildings across the country. Many of these places are still used today.

Another important program was the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The TVA built dams and brought electricity to many rural communities in the South.

Roosevelt also spoke to Americans through radio programs called “fireside chats.” These speeches helped calm fears and gave people hope during difficult times.

In January 1941, before the United States entered World War II, Roosevelt gave an important speech called the Four Freedoms speech. In the speech, he said that all people everywhere should enjoy four basic freedoms: freedom of speech, freedom of worship, freedom from want, and freedom from fear. The speech helped explain why many Americans believed the United States should support democracy and oppose aggressive dictatorships.

In 1939, World War II began in Europe. At first, the United States stayed out of the war. However, after Japan attacked Attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the United States entered World War II.

During the war, Roosevelt worked with Allied leaders such as Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin. The United States produced military equipment, sent troops overseas, and fought against Germany, Italy, and Japan.

Roosevelt was elected president four times and served longer than any other U.S. president. He helped lead the country through two major crises: the Great Depression and World War II.

In April 1945, Roosevelt died while World War II was still continuing. Vice President Harry S. Truman became president after his death.

Franklin Roosevelt is remembered for helping Americans during the Great Depression and leading the United States during most of World War II.