Winthrop Vs Roosevelt Essay, Research Paper

Although Winthrop of the 17th century and Franklin Roosevelt of the 1930?s

strive for and ?preach? of similar issues of the American people needing a

vision, the moral satisfaction of work, interdependence among all members

of the country, and giving rather than receiving, the context of their

arguments differ due to their specific roles of leadership in society and the

time period in which they led.

The 17th century was a period of social and national freedom for the

New World, and with this American Puritanism came a strong religious

movement in which Winthrop worked to sustain and expand. Therefore,

every issue over which Winthrop speaks is related to God and how the New

World can be improved through a strong religious faith. Beside the fact that

FDR is the mid-Depression President of 1933 and the political sector of the

US frowns upon its leader making bias comments about God or any religion

due to the variety of religious beliefs present in the 20th century, FDR?s

views of the improvement of the US pertain not to God but to our

government and its leadership over the people.

Both leaders agree that the people need to create a vision of the future

to strive for. However, Winthrop?s vision is based upon God and striving

toward moral perfection through loving others with a pure heart, baring

others? burdens, and doing service to God to improve the life of the

individual. FDR?s vision relates to government and striving toward financial

security, job abundance, and the strong leadership of a President to pull out

of the Great Depression. Both FDR and Winthrop agree with the vision of

the ?joy and moral stimulation of work,? but disagree as to the employer of

this work. Winthrop states that migrants should work toward the satisfaction

of God to be a true Christian and give to people in need rather than receive

material goods. FDR believes in the ?spirit of the pioneer? to compensate

for the increased amount of unemployment due to the Depression and to

discipline the people to make progress toward a fruitful economy under the

leadership of a strong President.

The issue in which Winthrop and FDR connect the most with each

other is that of interdependence of members of a group. Winthrop states that

all Christians are of one body and ??if one member suffers, all suffer with it,

if one be in honor, all rejoice with it.?? FDR agrees with this interdependent

group, using the image of a ?trained and loyal army? that makes sacrifices

for the good of the whole and that teaches discipline to be loyal followers of

their leader, which is the Government in FDR?s vision and God in

Winthrop?s vision.