Century Quote by John Kenneth Galbraith
“[Franklin Delano] Roosevelt was the central world figure in the two great disasters of this century - the Great Depression and World War II. By contrast, JFK came in relatively peaceful, agreeable times.”
About This Quote
Source Book: The Great Crash, 1929, by John Kenneth Galbraith, 1955
Roosevelt’s leadership defined the era’s biggest crises, while later leaders faced less turbulent times.
In simple terms: Roosevelt shaped major 20th‑century crises.
Study how leadership impacts crisis outcomes.
Themes
Mood
Type
When to use this quote
- political analysis
- educational lectures
- policy debates
Key Concepts
Questions to Reflect On
- How do leaders shape versus respond to crises?
- What other forces drive historical events?
Leadership influence can be overstated without broader systemic factors.