THE NEW DEAL
Essential Question
How does the role of government change with
the New Deal? Is it a good or bad thing?
Is the change a result of our transition from a
traditional to a secular society?
Focus Questions
What role, if any, did the New Deal play in ending
the Great Depression?
How did FDR increase the power of the
presidency? Is it a good thing or a bad thing?
Why didn’t America see a new revolution? Might
we yet in the future?
FDR takes office
Proposes a New Deal based on the idea the Federal Government should play an
active role in promoting recovery and providing relief – unlike Hoover who believed
in localism
Country demands, “bold, persistent experimentation’
Puts together team of advisors known as the ‘Brain Trust’
two Republicans – Henry Wallace, Sec. of Ag; Harold Ickes, Sec. of Interior
First woman – Francis Perkins and Sec. of Labor
Relied on wife Eleanor to be his eyes and ears
Bonus Army marches again – sends Eleanor to talk to them and
show the government cares, but still doesn’t pay them
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MX_v0zxM23Q
The First 100 Days
FDR and Congress pass 15 bills based on relief, recovery and reform
immediate relief from depression, long-term economic
recovery and reform to prevent future problems
The Beginning
Declared a bank holiday with the Emergency
Banking Bill – gave broad powers to President
FDR began giving ‘Fireside Chats’ – radio speeches
to the American people
http://www.history.com/topics/fireside-chats/videos#fdr-delivers-first-fireside-chat
The Programs
FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corp): insured bank
deposits up to $5,000 ($250,000 today) – reform
SEC (Securities and Exchange Commission): regulate the
stock market – reform
AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act): provided financial
aid, paying farmers subsidies to not plant part of land
and kill off excess livestock – attempt to combat
overproduction and low prices - relief
TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority): built a series of dams in
the Tennessee River Valley to control floods and to generate
electricity; replanted forests, built fertilizer plants – recovery
critics called it socialist since it put gov’t in control of a business; also
considered one of greatest achievements of New Deal
CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps): provided jobs for more
than 2 million young men; replanted forests, built trails, dug
irrigation ditches, fought fires – recovery
FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Act): granted federal funds
to state and local agencies to help unemployed – relief
CWA (Civil Works Administration): provided public-works
jobs- relief
HOLC (Home Owners Loan Corp): loaned money at low interest rates to
homeowners who could not meet mortgage payments – relief
FHA (Federal Housing Administration): insured bank loans used for
building and repairing homes - relief
NIRA (National Industrial Recovery Act): established the NRA (National
Recovery Administration) – developed codes of fair competition to
govern industries – established a minimum wage and minimum prices
for goods - recovery
PWA (Public Works Administration): built bridges, dams, power plants
and government buildings -