During Franklin D. Roosevelt's twelve years as U.S. president, most people loved him, but many thought he was destroying the country and their way of life. Roosevelt became president in 1933, in the midst of a global business depression. Millions of people had no work or money. He created jobs and helped those who needed help, but to accomplish this he had to change the government's part in national life. He ably led America during World War II and played the principal part in starting the United Nations. Some of his methods may be questioned but his goals were admirable.