• Introduction to The New Deal
• New Deal Programs
•    Life During The New Deal
• Helpful Sites for the New Deal

Introduction to the New Deal
 

Many people have said Franklin D. Roosevelt brought hope and relief to our country's families.  After the stock market crashed it was difficult to easily obtain food, work, or shelter for their families.  The citizens held the economic downfall over the head of the previous president Herbert Hoover.  Hoover's struggle to gain support of his efforts was not effective and the American people denied his leadership.  Hoping for a miracle, the prayers of a nation were answered by one individual, Franklin D. Roosevelt.  His determination to turn around the economic status proved to be successful.  Citizens had a renewal of confidence in their new president.  The solution to the depression was called "The New Deal".  Roosevelt developed a plan to provide relief, produce jobs, and generate the economy.  The expectations of "The New Deal" varied, some solutions succeeded and others did not..

 
New Deal Programs

One of Franklin D. Roosevelt's solution was the Emergency Banking Act/Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). It was a program that caused all banks in the nation to shut down on March 6, 1933. This act allowed the government to come in and inspect the status of all banks. For American people, the FDIC insured deposits up to $5000. The act helped Americans gain faith in banks, and erase the fear that they would lose their savings in a bank failure.

Franklin D. Roosevelt made Harry Hopkins head of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA). The program sent funds to depleting local relief agencies. Mr. Hopkins thought that men should be sent to work and not be given charity. Many of the failing relief programs were revitalized.

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) gave the unemployed citizens jobs
to build or repair roads, parks, airports, etc. This program gave a psychological and physical uplift to all workers of America.

As the result of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), unmarried men were sent to work on maintaining and restoring forests, beaches, and parks. Those men who were put to work on this received very little pay, but obtained free board and job training. Programs like this one were also funded for many women. In order to live independently, the CCC increased the self-esteem of American men and women.

Endorsement of the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 led to ownership of unallocated lands to Native American groups and ending any sales of their land. The act proved to be a positive move forward for the Native Americans.

The purpose of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) of June 1933 was to repair descending prices, caused by business failures and unemployment. As a result, it helped businesses and workers. The NIRA postponed prices for a while until higher wages were given, resulting in the rise of prices, too. This solution was declared unconstitutional and too complicated.

 The Federal Securities Act of May 1933/Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) controlled the stock market ordering full disclosure on information on stocks being sold. The outcome of this program was not agreeable for many businesses.

The Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) helped middle class homeowners refinance their mortgages, in order to keep their houses. The Agriculture Adjustment Administration (AAA) worked on increasing farm prices. It forced farmers to raise certain crops and animals, thus lowering production and increasing prices. The result of this act offended many citizens and was declared unconstitutional.

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) helped farmers and created jobs in one of Americas most rural areas. The TVA added a hydroelectric power plant that provided cheap electric power, flood control, and recreational opportunities to the Tennessee River Valley.

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) constructed and repaired schools, hospitals, and air fields. Employment was now on the rise.

The Farm Security Administration (FSA) mainly helped out farmers by loaning out one billion dollars to all farmers, and it also set up camps for migrant workers .

Legalization of certain practices, such as closed shops that only union members could work, was a result of the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act).

Progressive era social reformers waited a long time for this act and it was a victory for them, also.  The Social Security Act provided a system which gave old aged pensions for workers, survivors benefits for victims of industrial accidents, unemployment insurance, and aid for defendant mothers and children, the blind and physically disabled. The outcome of this act made many Americans now feel very secure.
 

Life During the New Deal

  The following information reflects the opinions and experiences of relatives from this class, who lived during the New Deal.

The outlook on F.D.R was predominately positive.  The American family praised his efforts to succeed after the depression.  Women benefited from the deal by receiving pay increases and more involvement in unions.  Alice Layton says, "I immediately received a $1 pay increase, and many of my friends began getting involved in labor unions."

The environment was preserved when the W.P.A  created parks.  Mr. Morath said the city of Sharonville, Ohio named the park they built Sharon Woods.  This park is still around and is popular for hiking and fishing.

The New Deal focused on rebuilding a country's faith in an elected president. Not everyone jumped on F.D.R's bandwagon right away.  They weren't sure of the outcome of his plan.  Anton Hansen said, "we can't change horses midstream, now can we?" He didn't vote for Roosevelt till his third term.

Now there are some mixed feelings about Roosevelt.  Elders who lived through the war think that Roosevelt was the cause of WW2.  Norman Herbstreit said, "Roosevelt was aware of the planned Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and did nothing, in order to get the United States involved in the war."

Although there were allegations they proved to be irrelevant.  If you could survey the nation and ask them if they approved of Franklin D. Roosevelt and his New Deal, the answer would be yes.  He restored stability and made this country what it is today.

 

Helpful Sites

      http://www.wcd.org/pdicy/US/newdeal.html
      http://www.letsfindout.com/subjects/america/newdeal.html
      http://nscds.put.K12.il.us/nscds/us/apushist/roosevelt/newdeal.html