Image in the public domain
The first few months in office can be an important time for new presidents. The public watches closely to see how well their new leaders perform on the job. Franklin Delano Roosevelt put dozens of New Deal programs in place during his first 100 days in office that helped pull the country out of an economic depression. Ever since then, reaching 100 days has become a key presidential milestone, a time to look back at accomplishments and challenges. Listen to hear about President Biden’s early days in office, and learn how other presidents made an impact during their first 100 days.
Story Length: 4:14
Socrative users can import these questions using the following code: SOC-1234
April 19, 2021
4:43
President Biden has ambitious plans to improve America’s infrastructure and create new jobs. He recently announced the American Jobs Plan, a $2 trillion proposal to fix roads, bridges, and highways, expand broadband access, support green energy projects, and more. The new plan would create millions of jobs, Biden says, and help America keep up with powerful economic competitors like China. Listen to learn more about the president’s new proposal and the changes it would bring.
Read MoreDecember 28, 2018
4:10
Ronald Reagan was an actor, governor of California, and the 40th President of the United States. He served two terms and died in 2004 of Alzheimer's disease, ten years after leaving office. He was a Republican known for his conservative stance on reducing taxes, who instituted supply-side economic policies known as “Reaganomics,” which many credit with helping the economy prosper. Reagan helped to facilitate the end of the Cold War with the Soviet Union. However, his administration was tied up in the Iran-Contra affair, in which senior officials secretly broke an arms embargo and sold weapons to Iran. As a former actor, Reagan brought glamor to the presidency, and he is ranked as one of the more popular presidents. Listen to this conversation with an historian about how Reagan’s time in office is remembered, including some myths about his presidency.
Read MoreMay 3, 2017
5:06
President Donald Trump has reached 100 days in office, and he is beginning to feel the pressure to make good on his campaign promises. President Trump has promised to unveil a “phenomenal” tax reform, and as a result, investors are cautious as they wait to see if the tax reform is passed. Many are also curious about the federal budget and concerned about some of Trump’s plans, such as cutting federal aid. Listen to learn more about President Trump’s economic policies in his first 100 days.
Read MoreDecember 8, 2015
2:22
Democratic Presidential candidate Bernie Sanders has been campaigning across the country explaining his version of Democratic Socialism. He talks about the policies of Franklin D. Roosevelt as the framework for his own policies, trying to show socialism in a positive light. He states that “real freedom must include economic security.” Sanders is tying his ideas to the politics of the United States of the 1930s through 1960s. Listen to hear more about this version of Democratic Socialism.
Read More