Franklin D. Roosevelt: Nothing to Fear But Fear Itself

In 2009, Barack Obama's inauguration speech is set to echo that of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's in 1933.

America was then in the grip of the Great Depression, with 25 percent unemployment and all but ten of the 48 states forced to close their banks.

FDR's inaugural address struck a sombre but resolute note. In this extract he declares "the only thing we have to fear is fear itself".

Obama will seek to emulate Roosevelt's upbeat, inspirational leadership.

Return to the main article: Tapping Deep into America's Past

The accompanying book America, Empire of Liberty is published in the UK in January 2009.