Republican President Hoover had failed to take effective measures to help the American people and was perceived as being insensitive. The mood of the nation was sour and FDR knew that he had to inspire confidence and hope in Americans.

FDR Fireside Chats: Mass Communication via the Radio
It was vital to communicate the sweeping changes of the New Deal and the radio provided a perfect medium for talking directly to Americans in the comfort of their own homes. The first of the radio  'Fireside Chats' was broadcast on Sunday evening, March 12, 1933 and 60 million people tuned in to hear the new president. FDR made a total of 30 evening radio addresses, called the 'fireside chats'  between 1933 and 1944. The 'Fireside Chats' were used sparingly, often in times of crisis, ensuring the importance of the president's radio addresses to the American nation.

What were the Fireside Chats? The Fireside Chats were a series of thirty important radio broadcasts made by Franklin D. Roosevelt as a means to directly talk to Americans in times of crisis and national importance.

What was the Purpose of the Fireside Chats? The purpose of the Fireside Chats was to convey important information and reassure Americans during difficult times of the Great Depression and WW2.

When did FDR make his Fireside Chats? FDR made his Fireside Chats in times of national crisis and importance. He broadcast a total of 30 fireside chats between 1933 and 1944. They ended with his untimely death on April 12, 1945.

Where did the Fireside Chats take place? The majority of broadcasts of the Fireside Chats were made from the White House but a few of his 'Fireside Chats' were also made from Hyde Park.

Why were the Fireside Chats important? The significance and impact of the Fireside Chats should not be under estimated. The Fireside Chats provided immediate access to the population, relayed important information, inspired confidence and patriotism, conveyed a personal touch and increased the popularity of FDR.  The Fireside Chats allowed the president to speak directly to the people reducing the control of Conservative dominated newspapers gaining public approval of FDR’s actions and initiatives and Democratic ideals and principles.

Facts about Fireside Chats
The following fact sheet contains interesting facts and information on Fireside Chats.

The radio was still a relative novelty. The first radio broadcast was made by KDKA from the Westinghouse Electric buildings on Tuesday, November 2, 1920. By the end of the 1920s there were over 100 million radios in use in America. When Franklin Roosevelt assumed the presidency about 65% of Americans had access to the radio and FDR used the medium for his Fireside Chats. For history and facts refer American Radio History.

Before FDR, all the US Presidents had communicated with the American people through newspapers. The advent of radio allowed FDR to reduce the power of the press that was governed by their editorial policies. Many expressed Republican views and were quick to criticize the Democrat president - the 'fireside chats' allowed FDR to address any concerns. The Fireside Chats enabled him to directly express the reasons for his policies, actions and initiatives using a highly personal and "down-to-earth" approach with words that everyone could understand, but were never condescending.

The radio broadcasts were a perfect communication vehicle for FDR, who was an excellent orator. He had a calm, reassuring voice and this, together with his confident, reasoned, determined, fearless approach,  inspired Americans with "courage and confidence" during periods of national crisis. He was able to gain popular support for his actions and became one of the most popular presidents in the history of the United States.

The introduction of the radio was fortuitous for President Roosevelt enabling him to communicate directly with millions of Americans via his Fireside Chats. The radio was especially convenient for FDR because it enabled him to hide his polio symptoms from the public eye. Many had observed that had Roosevelt run for the presidency in modern times he would never have been elected president.

Although the fireside chats sounded relaxed and informal, the impact and content of his broadcasts were shrewdly calculated to ensure they had the maximum effect.

The timing of the fireside chats was crucial. The broadcasts were always made in the evening and timed for when people had finished their dinner and were relaxed and settling down in their living rooms to listen to their favorite radio programs.

President Roosevelt ended his Fireside Chats with a reference to the help of God or Providence, urging Americans to face the difficult tasks ahead with faith, patience, courage and understanding.

“The Star Spangled Banner” was played at the end of every broadcast, underlining the role of every American during hard times and the highly patriotic message of the lyrics. Refer to the Meaning  Lyrics of Star Spangled Banner.

The very first of the 'Fireside Chats' was made by FDR on Sunday March 12, 1933, just over a week after he had assumed the presidency. 

In his first 'fireside chat' FDR explained  to the American people why he declared a National Bank Holiday - and temporarily closed all the banks.. It was the start of the measures that the president would adopt during FDR's First Hundred Days. When the banks reopened the following day on Monday 13 March, 1933, people demonstrated their belief and confidence in FDR by making more deposits than withdrawals and the Banking Crisis was over.

On Sunday, May 7, 1933 President Roosevelt outlined the New Deal Program based on three simple headings - Relief, Recovery and Reform. On Monday, July 24, 1933 President Roosevelt described the Purposes and Foundations of the New Deal Recovery Program.

President Roosevelt would give over 30 informal fireside chats during his presidency. He made numerous other more formal speeches using the other conventional methods of communication but the 'Fireside Chats' were special events and reserved for difficult times of national crisis. The most important 'Fireside Chats' are detailed below.

On Sunday, April 28, 1935 he provided the Works Relief Program aimed at relieving unemployment and addressing the plight of poverty-stricken Americans. Refer to the List of FDR New Deal Programs.

On Sunday, September 6, 1936 President Roosevelt reported on the Drought Conditions. A series of terrible droughts had hit the nation resulting in the Black Blizzards that contributed to the devastation of 100 million acres of farming land in the prairie states and the destitution of the farmers in the Dust Bowl.

On Sunday, November 14, 1937 President Roosevelt reported on the Unemployment Census and the impact and effects of the New Deal Programs.

On Sunday, September 3, 1939 FDR addressed the nation on the subject of the war in Europe and followed this on Sunday, May 26, 1940 by another of his Fireside Chats on National Defense.

FDR continued the theme of National Security on Sunday, December 29, 1940 and explained that neutral America must be "must be the great arsenal of democracy". The term "arsenal of democracy" referred to the supply of "implements of war", primarily to Great Britain, and the need for war production. FDR also spoke of the devastation caused by the Luftwaffe Blitz on London.

On December 9, 1941, two days after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (December 7, 1941), President Roosevelt announced the Declaration of War with Japan. FDR urged the nation to steel itself for casualties and sacrifices. He emphasized that Germany and Italy were also grave threats to America but stopped short of declaring war on these two nations.

On Tuesday, May 27, 1941, President Roosevelt made what would be the longest of his Fireside Chats, in the Proclamation of  Unlimited National Emergency. In his chat FDR vilified the Nazis and called for Americans to “take loyal part from this moment forward” in the war effort to help the Allied Forces. He asserted that the U.S. has not declared war, but was fully involved in aiding its allies.

The Map Speech: On Monday, February 23, 1942 reported on the progress of the War and asked American families to have a map to help follow the references he would make to different countries - it would be referred to as the Map Speech. The war was not going well for the Allies at this time, but instead of hiding this from the nation he approached the subject with honesty saying "...your government has unmistakable confidence in your ability to hear the worst, without flinching or losing heart."

On July 28, 1943 FDR reported on the Fall of Mussolini, the progress of the War and assured the American public that the Allies were already planning for a postwar world

On Friday, December 24, 1943, after his extensive trip through the Middle East and the Mediterranean, President Roosevelt reported of his successful meetings in Cairo and Teheran with Churchill, Stalin, and Chiang Kai-shek.

On Monday, June 5, 1944, on the eve of D-Day, the president enthusiastically announced the Fall of Rome, but reminded Americans that there were more confrontations ahead.

Monday, June 12, 1944 was the last of the fireside chats by President Roosevelt, in which he spoke about the progress of the war and urged all Americans to buy war bonds.

The end of the war in Europe was in sight but on April 12, 1945 President Franklin D. Roosevelt suddenly died from a massive cerebral hemorrhage. Vice President Harry S. Truman was left in charge of a country that was still fighting the Second World War.

During his series of Fireside Chats President Roosevelt had talked to Americans as if he had been invited into their homes and were chatting, like friends, around the fireside.