Ickes file photo [758]

Harold Ickes

SurnameIckes
Given NameHarold
Born15 Mar 1874
Died3 Feb 1952
CountryUnited States
CategoryGovernment
GenderMale

Contributor:

ww2dbaseHarold LeClair Ickes was born on a farm outside of Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania, United States. He graduated from the University of Chicago in 1897 and became a reporter for the Chicago Record and then the Chicago Tribune. In 1907, he received a law degree from the University of Chicago, but chose to enter politics instead of becoming an attorney. In 1933, he transformed from a local politician to a national one when Franklin Roosevelt broke party lines and chose him as a member of his cabinet. He became Roosevelt's Secretary of the Interior but he also took on many other roles. He was best known for his ability to separate his responsibilities and politics, therefore becoming one of Roosevelt's most effective implementers of the New Deal.

ww2dbaseDuring WW2, Ickes was a strong voice criticizing the mistreatment of Japanese-Americans in the United States. In Oct 1944, Douglas MacArthur returned to the Philippines and re-established the Filipino government under Sergio OsmeƱa without consulting Ickes. As Secretary of the Interior, Ickes believed that the Philippines, which was an American possession at the time, fell under his jurisdiction. MacArthur accused Ickes of attempting to interject on policies in an area of the world that he was unacquainted with, while Ickes argued that it was his responsibility to ensure Filipino leaders such as Manuel Roxas who collaborated with the Japanese during the war did not remain in power. To settle the dispute, Roosevelt stepped in and eventually sided with MacArthur. Believing MacArthur had overstepped into his turf, this event became a sore between the relationship of the two men for the rest of their lives.

ww2dbaseAfter Roosevelt's death, Ickes remained in Harry Truman's cabinet, but he resigned in Feb 1946 after ethical disagreements with Truman, in which Ickes thought he was expected to commit perjury in order to benefit the political party. He left the legacy of being the Secretary of Interior longer than any other head of that department.

ww2dbaseSources: Reminiscences, Wikipedia.

Last Major Revision: Aug 2006

Harold Ickes Timeline

15 Mar 1874 Harold Ickes was born.
3 Feb 1952 Harold Ickes passed away.




Did you enjoy this article or find this article helpful? If so, please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 per month will go a long way! Thank you.

Share this article with your friends:

 Facebook
 Reddit
 Twitter

Stay updated with WW2DB:

 RSS Feeds




Posting Your Comments on this Topic

Your Name
Your Email
 Your email will not be published
Comment Type
Your Comments
 

Notes:

1. We hope that visitor conversations at WW2DB will be constructive and thought-provoking. Please refrain from using strong language. HTML tags are not allowed. Your IP address will be tracked even if you remain anonymous. WW2DB site administrators reserve the right to moderate, censor, and/or remove any comment. All comment submissions will become the property of WW2DB.

2. For inquiries about military records for members of the World War II armed forces, please see our FAQ.

Search WW2DB
Famous WW2 Quote
"Goddam it, you'll never get the Purple Heart hiding in a foxhole! Follow me!"

Captain Henry P. Jim Crowe, Guadalcanal, 13 Jan 1943


Support Us

Please consider supporting us on Patreon. Even $1 a month will go a long way. Thank you!

Or, please support us by purchasing some WW2DB merchandise at TeeSpring, Thank you!