Study Questions
1. In The Moral Basis of Democracy Eleanor Roosevelt set forth her understanding of Democracy. In this book she emphasized the ideal character of citizens of a democracy. Describe the ways that Eleanor herself lived up to the ideals or addressed the problem noted in each of the following quotations from the book:
"Our own success, to be real, must contribute to the success of others."
"No one can honestly claim that either the Indians or the Negros of this country are free."
"Hunger and thirst, lack of decent shelter, lack of certain minimum decencies of life can be eliminated if the spirit of good will is awakened in every human being,"
Democracy is "a method of government conceived for the development of human beings as a whole."
Democracy encourages "a sense of brotherhood, a sense that we strive together towards a common objective."
"Somehow or another human beings must get a feeling that there is in life a spring, a spring which flows for all humanity."
2. The coming of the Second World War reshaped life in the White House. How did it affect Eleanor Roosevelt's daily life? What kind of activities did she undertake in taking part in the war effort? What was the importance of her wartime journeys to England and to the South Pacific (as described in the preface)?
3. During the war Eleanor continued her efforts on behalf of African Americans. What did she do to promote civil rights? How did some Americans, opposed to equality, react to her efforts?
4. During the war Eleanor and Joseph Lash became close friends. Under what circumstances did they meet? Why did Eleanor particularly admire Lash?
5. On April 12, 1945, after serving longer in office than any other president, Franklin Roosevelt died at Warm Springs of a cerebral hemorrhage. How did Eleanor and how did the nation react to his death?
1. In The Moral Basis of Democracy Eleanor Roosevelt set forth her understanding of Democracy. In this book she emphasized the ideal character of citizens of a democracy. Describe the ways that Eleanor herself lived up to the ideals or addressed the problem noted in each of the following quotations from the book:
"Our own success, to be real, must contribute to the success of others."
"No one can honestly claim that either the Indians or the Negros of this country are free."
"Hunger and thirst, lack of decent shelter, lack of certain minimum decencies of life can be eliminated if the spirit of good will is awakened in every human being,"
Democracy is "a method of government conceived for the development of human beings as a whole."
Democracy encourages "a sense of brotherhood, a sense that we strive together towards a common objective."
"Somehow or another human beings must get a feeling that there is in life a spring, a spring which flows for all humanity."
2. The coming of the Second World War reshaped life in the White House. How did it affect Eleanor Roosevelt's daily life? What kind of activities did she undertake in taking part in the war effort? What was the importance of her wartime journeys to England and to the South Pacific (as described in the preface)?
3. During the war Eleanor continued her efforts on behalf of African Americans. What did she do to promote civil rights? How did some Americans, opposed to equality, react to her efforts?
4. During the war Eleanor and Joseph Lash became close friends. Under what circumstances did they meet? Why did Eleanor particularly admire Lash?
5. On April 12, 1945, after serving longer in office than any other president, Franklin Roosevelt died at Warm Springs of a cerebral hemorrhage. How did Eleanor and how did the nation react to his death?