Alphabet Soup
The Programs of the New Deal
The American people elected Franklin
Roosevelt in 1932 because they wanted
change, and change is what they got.
Roosevelt quickly took action to bring
about relief, recovery and reform.
The climb out of the Great Depression
was long and difficult, taking most of the
decade of the 1930’s. In the process a
number of new laws were passed, new
agencies were created and new
programs were put into place. Because
these various components of the New
Deal were frequently spoken of by their
initials, both critics and supporters
referred to them as Roosevelt’s
“alphabet soup.”
1. Your task is to create a poster that explains some of the most important laws, agencies,
and organizations of the New Deal.
2. Each item in the list below must be included on your poster.
•
•
•
•
AAA
CCC
FDIC
FERA
•
•
•
•
FLSA
NLRA
NRA
NYA
•
•
•
•
Step 1: Complete the attached matching activity.
Step 2: Use the various sources in your classroom to complete
the attached graphic organizer, Alphabet Soup:
Programs of the New Deal.
Step 3: Complete the attached graphic organizer, The New
Deal: Relief, Recovery, and Reform.
Step 4: Create your poster!
• Organize the information on your poster according to
your work in Steps 2 and 3.
• It is expected that your poster will have a title, use
color, and be designed to attract the attention of
passersby. Be sure your poster is neat and legible.
Your poster is due ________________________________
PDF processed with CutePDF evaluation edition www.CutePDF.com
SEC
SSA
TVA
WPA
Alphabet Soup: The Programs of the New Deal
Draw lines to match each set of initials below with the actual name of the
New Deal law, program, or agency those initials actually represent. Have
your work checked before moving to the next step!
AAA
Civilian Conservation Corps
CCC
National Recovery Act
FDIC
National Labor Relations Act
FERA
Agricultural Adjustment Act
FLSA
Securities and Exchange Commission
NLRA
Works Progress Administration
NRA
Social Security Act
NYA
Federal Emergency Relief Act
SEC
Tennessee Valley Authority
SSA
National Youth Administration
TVA
Fair Labor Standards Act
WPA
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Alphabet Soup: The Programs of the New Deal
Name
Initials
AAA
CCC
FERA
FDIC
Year
Purpose
NRA
TVA
SEC
NLRA
NYA
SSA
WPA
FLSA
Paid farmers not to grow certain crops. The purpose was to
reduce supply and thereby raise farm prices. This agency also
promoted soil conservation.
Enforced codes that regulated wages, prices, and working
conditions. Helped devise standards for production, prices,
and wages.
Gave relief to the unemployed and the needy. Provided
federal money for relief projects to the roughly 13 million
unemployed.
Built dams to provide cheap electric power and flood control
to seven southern states; set up schools and health centers.
Insured savings accounts in banks approved by the
government. Protected the money of depositors in insured
banks.
Provided jobs for young men to plant trees, build bridges,
dams and parks, set up flood-control projects, and work on
other conservation projects.
Established large-scale national works program to create
jobs. Employed men and women to build hospitals, schools,
parks, and airports; gave work to artists, writers, and
musicians.
Set up job programs for young people and helped them
continue their education.
Protected labor’s right to form unions and set up a board to
hear labor disputes. It protected workers from unfair
management practices.
Provided workers with unemployment insurance and
retirement benefits. Set up a system of pensions for the
elderly, dependent children, and people with disabilities.
Created to oversee and regulate the stock markets and
reduce harmful speculation.
Established a federal minimum wage, guaranteed overtime
pay, set standards for record keeping, and prohibited most
employment of minors in “oppressive child labor.”
The “3 R’s” of the New Deal: Relief, Recovery, and Reform
Relief – provide food for the hungry, housing for the homeless, and jobs for the unemployed
Recovery – help business and agriculture start up again
Reform – make changes to prevent another serious depression in the future
Task: Each of the items on your Step 2 Organizer fits in one section of the chart below. Some may fit in more than one! You
are to decide where each item best fits and write its initials in that section of the chart. Be prepared to explain your choices.
Relief
Recovery
Reform