Was FDR liberal or conservative?

The modern term for the American definition of Liberal did not appear until the late 19th century. European Liberalism at the time wanted a smaller, more free government, where as American liberalism wanted a stronger, top down government. read more

FDR was a liberal four-term president that implemented some of the most consequential programs ever signed into law. Although, his liberal policies were conservative, in the strictest sense, meaning he “conserved” what existed and worked through trusted institutions, including government, although, “conserve” in that sense is inoperable today. read more

President Franklin D Roosevelt was one of the most liberalpresidents in US history. read more

Commander in Chief: Franklin Delano Roosevelt, His Lieutenants, and Their War. History of how FDR handled the war excerpt and text search; Leuchtenberg, William E. Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1940. (1963). Remains the standard scholarly interpretive history of era. excerpt and text search; Moley, Raymond. read more

For a comprehensive collection of his quotes, see the book “The Faith of FDR – from President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Public Papers 1933-1945.” Though Franklin Roosevelt was a liberal in his day, since then both the left and the right have moved further to the left resulting in FDR’s statements appearing conservative by comparison. read more