Introduction
The aftermaths of the World War I and the Great Depression made people eager to see the changes. Strong leaders such as Roosevelt and Hitler offered the changes that had a positive impact on the development of their economies. However, Hitler insisted that his nation can prosper, but the world order should be changed while Roosevelt focused on the internal affairs and maintenance of the international treaties (Engel, 2015). It is possible to analyze the two leaders’ Inaugural address to see the differences and similarities of their paths chosen to save their nations.
Two Approaches
First, Roosevelt and Hitler saw the causes of their countries’ troubles differently. Roosevelt claimed that the leaders who induced people with “the lure of profit” and their “false leadership” caused the American economy collapse, and the country faced severe problems in all spheres (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 2015, para. 5). Importantly, the president emphasized that Americans still had their values and their unity, but the Great Depression was the causes and the effect of Americans’ misery. At the same time, Hitler saw the most serious issue Germany faced in “heartbreaking disunity” as Germans were not united after the “day of treachery” or the day when the World War I ended and Germany capitulated (Berlin: Proclamation to the German Nation, 1933, para. 1).
When it comes particular steps to address major problems, there were differences as well as similarities in both leaders’ approaches. For instance, Hitler proclaimed that he and his government will defeat unemployment within two four-year periods through the “[c]ompulsory labor service” and promotion of employment as well as “the exploitation of individual initiative” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German Nation, 1933, para. 11-13). Roosevelt is more exact but his steps are quite similar to the German approach as he advocated “direct recruiting by the Government itself,” accomplishing projects associated with the “use of resources,” and “redistribution” of the labor force in industries and farming (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 2015, para. 10-11).
As for agriculture, Roosevelt promised redistribution of the labor force, the intrusion of the Federal, State and local governments, unification of “relief activities” and “national planning” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 2015, para. 11). Hitler also proclaimed a significant control of the government and implementation of the “[c]ompulsory labor-service and the back-to-the-land policy” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German Nation, 1933, para. 11). These steps were also a part of the policy aimed at restoration of the economy that also involved “avoidance of any experiments which would endanger the currency” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German Nation, 1933, para. 13). Roosevelt also mentioned these steps, but the major focus was put on the “strict supervision of all banking and credits and investments” and “provision for an adequate but sound currency” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 2015, para. 12).
The foreign policy of the two nations is somewhat different. Thus, Roosevelt proclaims the agenda of “the good neighbor… who respects his obligations and respects the sanctity of his agreements in and with a world of neighbors” (Franklin D. Roosevelt, 2015, para. 16). Hitler stresses that the foreign policy will be confined to the use of the new nation of Germans who enjoy equal rights “as an instrument for the securing and maintenance of that peace which the world requires today” (Berlin: Proclamation to the German Nation, 1933, para. 14)
Conclusion
It is possible to note that the approaches were rather similar with differences caused by national and historical peculiarities. However, the way the leaders saw their powers is very different. Hitler always stressed his role and the role of his government while Roosevelt stated that he was eager to follow the democratic values and collaborate with the country’s legislative body, but was also ready to ask for more powers if the situations worsened. Thus, it is clearly seen that one of the countries was led by a Democrat while the other was ruled by a dictator.
Reference List
Berlin: Proclamation to the German Nation. (1933). Web.
Engel, J.A. (2015). The scene, the phrase, and the debate. In J.A. Engel (Ed.), The four freedoms from Franklyn D. Roosevelt and the evolution of an American idea (pp. 15-39). New York, NY: Oxford University Press.
Franklin D. Roosevelt. (2015). Web.