Fireside Chats
Definition
A series of radio broadcasts made by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to the nation, beginning in 1933. They were a way for the president to directly communicate with the American people about his plans and policies.
Analogy
Think of Fireside Chats like a popular YouTuber's live stream today. Just as YouTubers use live streams to connect directly with their audience, explain what they're doing, and answer questions, FDR used these radio broadcasts to do the same with the American public.
Related terms
Public Opinion: The collective attitudes or beliefs of the public about specific issues or individuals, such as a president or policy.
Mass Media: Any means of communication that reach very large numbers of people, such as radio or television. In this case, it was how FDR communicated his messages during his presidency.
New Deal: A series of programs and projects instituted during the Great Depression by President Franklin D. Roosevelt that aimed to restore prosperity to Americans.
"Fireside Chats" appears in:
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Practice Questions (3)
- What were the "Fireside Chats" during the Great Depression?
- What was similar between Franklin D Roosevelt's use of fireside chats during the New Deal Era and Ronald Reagan's media strategy during his presidency?
- How did President Roosevelt’s use of media during his Fireside Chats mirror an earlier presidential communication style?
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