The New Deal

Context

• The Great Depression followed by Roosevelt's election in 1932.
• Roosevelt won by a landslide against Herbert Hoover.
• Roosevelt believed the government should protect the unfortunate and advance the public good.
• Emphasized by his Fireside Chats - direct communication with the American people.

First 100 Days

• Roosevelt's first 100 days set a benchmark for future presidents—more major legislation passed than any other.
• Advantage: Sworn in March, Congress controlled by Democrats.

Emergency Banking Act

• Hoover's plan, enacted by Roosevelt after his inauguration.
• Closed all banks for a national banking holiday; only financially sound banks reopened.
• Restored public confidence in the banking system.

Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)

• Dispensed $500 million to state agencies for relief.
• Included the creation of the Civil Works Administration (CWA).
• CWA provided temporary jobs and infrastructure improvements but was dissolved due to high costs.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

• Targeted young, unmarried men for employment in conservation projects.
• Paid $30/month, but $25 sent home to their families.
• Opened to African Americans under pressure, but women were largely excluded.
• Provided education and physical fitness, leading many to complete high school and start college.

Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)

• Aimed to reduce crop surplus to raise prices and help farmers.
• Paid farmers to reduce staple crop production.
• Hurt sharecroppers and tenant farmers as landlords took land out of production.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

• Comprehensive infrastructure, flood control, and agricultural program.
• Built dams for hydroelectric power, radically transformed the Tennessee Valley.
• Controversially seen as socialist due to government ownership.

National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)

• Business-government cooperation to stabilize prices and wages, protect labor rights.
• Created the National Recovery Administration (NRA) to oversee fair practices codes.
• Declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1935.

Public Works Administration (PWA)

• Large-scale public works to reduce unemployment through infrastructure projects.
• No convict labor, limited work hours to increase employment, emphasis on human labor over machinery.

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

• Follow-up to the PWA focusing on semi-skilled and unskilled workers.
• Supported arts through various projects, created hundreds of public facilities.
• Non-discriminatory in hiring, promoted African American employment and education.

Key Takeaways

• Many believed in the New Deal's success despite continued high unemployment.
• Government directly hired people for jobs, no private contractors involved.
• New Deal programs aimed to provide immediate relief and boost public morale.