History Resources

"Reelect Roosevelt—Friend of Labor," 1936

A Spotlight on a Primary Source by Democratic National Campaign Committee

This Democratic Party campaign poster from 1936 outlines some of the agencies and regulations Franklin Roosevelt put in place to try to solve the most urgent problems of the Great Depression. While it reminds laborers of how they have benefitted from the New Deal and encourages them to support Roosevelt’s reelection, it acknowledges that the Depression is not over and that "the unemployed still look for jobs." The "printer’s bug" in the lower left indicates that the poster was printed by a union shop.

Excerpt

DEEDS—NOT WORDS

President Roosevelt has not given lip service to Labor. He did not promise a chicken in every pot and 2 cars in every garage. But he is doing all in his power to make life easier, safer, and happier for the average man and woman.

The "standpatters" and the greedy interests are "ganging up" against the President. They want a return to Republican prosperity—for the few at the top. President Roosevelt stands for lasting prosperity—in which all share, for "higher wages for workers, more income for farmers, more goods produced, more and better food eaten, fewer unemployed, and lower taxes." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, April, 1936.)

Questions for Discussion

Read the introduction and the excerpt and carefully examine the image of the poster. Then apply your knowledge of American history to answer the following questions:

  1. Identify Americans to whom the message in the poster was directed.
  2. How did the poster suggest that gains and improvements might be continued and preserved?
  3. Explain specific criticisms in the poster of those who opposed the plans and programs of President Roosevelt.
  4. Examine the caption below the photo in the upper right corner of the poster. What message does the wording and the type face of caption convey?

A printer-friendly version is available here.