First Fireside Chat Quizzes
Think you’ve got your head wrapped around First Fireside Chat? Put your knowledge to
the test. Good luck — the Stickman is counting on you!
Q. When FDR starts his speech with "My friends" (1), to whom is he referring?
The American people
Congress
The Supreme Court
Bill and Buddy from Roosevelt's childhood baseball team
Q. FDR begins his speech with: "I want to tell you what has been done in the last few days, and why it was done, and what the next steps are going to be" (3). What would be the best word to describe FDR's strategy here?
Transparent
Obtuse
Confusing
Distant
Q. Why was the bank holiday a "great inconvenience" (23) for the American people?
There were no ATMs or credit cards, so banks were the only way to get cash
Banking hours were cut, so they were only open three hours per day
People had to go four weeks without their banks being open
Bank employees didn't deserve holidays, according to the public
Q. Who are "hoarders" that FDR refers to when he says "Let me make it clear to you that the banks will take care of all needs, except, of course, the hysterical demands of hoarders" (45)?
People who withdraw all their money and keep it hidden at home
People who buy lots of canned food and keep it in a shelter at home
People who never throw anything away
People who make runs on banks in hoards
Q. Complete this famous line from "First Fireside Chat": "Let us unite in banishing _____" (71).
fear
terror
hoarding
demons