The Second New deal Takes
Hold
Chapter 15-2
The Second Hundred Days





Although the economy had improved
during FDR’s first two years in office he
was seeking a way to continue building
on what was already established
The unemployment rate remained high &
production levels remained low
Nevertheless the New Deal remained very
popular & FDR would launch a second
burst of activity known as the Second
New Deal
Under the Second New Deal FDR called
for Congress to enact legislation that
would provide more extensive relief for
the farmer as well as workers
FDR would be prodded by his wife,
Eleanor, who would travel the country
reminding the President of the suffering
of America's people
Reelecting FDR




The Second New Deal was
underway by the time the 1936
election rolled around
The election would pit Alfred
Landon of the Republican party
against FDR & the Democrats
The election was no contest as
FDR won an overwhelming victory
as well as victories in the House &
Senate
The 1936 election was a great vote
of confidence for FDR as it
marked the first time that a
majority of African Americans as
well as labor unions had voted
Democratic rather than
Republican
Focusing on Farms






When the AAA was struck down by the
Supreme Court in 1936 it was replaced by the
Soil Conservation & Domestic Allotment Act
This act would reward farmers who practiced
soil conservation
Two years later a new AAA was passed which
carried many of the same provisions that the
first did
The exception was the processing tax which
the SC declared unconstitutional in the first
AAA
Also created was the Resettlement
Administration which would provide cash for
small farmers to buy land
The administration would be replaced in 1937
with the Farm Security Administration which
would continue the policies of the
Resettlement Administration
FDR Extends Relief





Under the Second New Deal the Works
Progress Administration (WPA) would
be set up with the purpose of creating
as many jobs as quickly as possible
Between 1935-1943 more than 8
million workers would be employed
They would build air ports, roads &
streets, & public buildings
Women would be employed as
seamstress as they would create more
than 300 million garments for the
needy
The program would produce many
beneficial public works as well as
create a lasting sense of value & hope
to a nation of workers, it gave the
common man a sense of pride &
dignity
FDR Extends Relief



In addition professionals were
employed to write guides to cities
& historical narratives, paint
murals, & preform in theaters
around the country
To assist the youth the National
Youth Administration (NYA) with
the goal of providing education,
jobs, counseling, & recreation
The NYA also provided direct aid
to high school, college, &
graduate students, in exchange
students would work part time
positions at their school
Improving Labor Conditions








The Second new Deal would bring about many new laws that would benefit the
everyday worker as well as those retired
One of the very first pieces of legislation that was passed in the Second New Deal
was the Wagner Act of National Labor Relations Act
The act would establish the right to collective bargaining or the right of the union
The act also prohibited employers from threatening workers who supported the
union
The National Labor Relations Board was set up to hear testimony about unfair labor
practices as well as to hold elections to see if employees wanted to join a union
Also passed was the Fair Labor Standards Act which set the maximum weekly hours
at 44 per week & would lower it to 40 after 2 years
Minimum wage was also set at $.25 an hour rising to $.40 in 1945
Working conditions were also established for handling hazardous materials & those
under 16
The Social Security Act


One of the most important
aspects of the New Deal was
the creation of the Social
Security System
The Social Security Act
contained 3 major parts
1.
Old age insurance for
those 65 or older
2.
Unemployment
compensation
3.
Aid to dependent children
& the disabled
Expanding & Regulating Utilities





The second New Deal also
regulated utilities as well as
provided electricity for many rural
areas
The Rural Electrification
Administration (REA) was charged
with this task
In 1935 only 12.5% of America’s
farms had electricity
The figure would rise to 90% by
1949
Further legislation, The Public
Utility Holding Company Act of
1935 also attempted to curb the
corruption & graft of some utility
companies