Apr 19, 2025
Opposition to the New Deal: This would explore the criticisms and resistance faced by President Roosevelt's policies.
Judging the New Deal: This section would likely analyze the successes, failures, and long-term impact of the New Deal programs. It might cover debates about its effectiveness in ending the Great Depression and its lasting consequences on the American government and economy.
Popular Culture in the 1930s: This would examine how the Great Depression and the New Deal influenced art, music, literature, and other forms of cultural expression during the decade.
The End of Isolationism: This would discuss how the New Deal era and the events leading up to World War II contributed to the end of America's isolationist foreign policy.
America at War: This section would cover America's entry into World War II and its impact on the country's society, economy, and politics. It would likely show how the war affected the New Deal's legacy and priorities.
The New Deal was a series of programs and projects launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) in the United States during the Great Depression (the 1930s). The Great Depression was a time of severe economic hardship; many people were unemployed, businesses failed, and poverty was widespread. FDR's main goal was to get the American economy working again and to help those suffering from the Depression.
The New Deal had three main goals:
Relief: Provide immediate help to those suffering the most – the unemployed, the poor, and the homeless. This involved things like food assistance programs and direct financial aid.
Recovery: Fix the problems that caused the Great Depression and get the economy back on its feet. This involved government investment in public works projects (building dams, roads, bridges, and other infrastructure) to create jobs and stimulate economic activity.
Reform: Prevent another Great Depression from happening. This involved creating new regulations and laws to make the economy more stable and fair.
Many of the New Deal programs were run by agencies with names that became known as "alphabet agencies" because of their acronyms (like the CCC, WPA, and TVA – see your notes for details). These agencies focused on different aspects of the crisis:
Helping Farmers: Programs like the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) aimed to stabilize farm prices and support farmers who were struggling. This sometimes involved controversial measures like paying farmers not to grow certain crops to reduce oversupply.
Providing Jobs: The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed young, unemployed men in conservation projects like reforestation and building parks. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) employed millions in a wider range of projects including construction and arts programs. These programs provided not only income but also valuable experience and skills.
Supporting Businesses and Workers: The National Recovery Administration (NRA) attempted to set fair prices, wages, and working conditions for businesses and workers, hoping to increase stability and production.
Redeveloping Rural Areas: The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) was a massive project to improve the quality of life in the Tennessee River Valley, focusing on flood control, electric power generation, and improving the economic conditions of the region.
While the New Deal did not completely end the Great Depression (World War II played a significant role in that), it did provide crucial relief, stimulated economic activity, and introduced significant reforms that changed the role of the federal government in American life. It's still debated today how successful it was, but its impact on American history is undeniable. The next parts of your BBC Bitesize reading will likely discuss these ongoing debates and long term consequences.