New Deal

Definition

The New Deal refers to a series of programs and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform to the American economy and society. These initiatives transformed the role of the federal government and had a lasting impact on social classes and urban life by addressing unemployment, promoting economic growth, and instituting social safety nets.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The New Deal was introduced in response to the economic turmoil of the Great Depression, which left millions unemployed and struggling.
2. Programs under the New Deal aimed not only to provide immediate relief but also to create long-term economic recovery through infrastructure projects and job creation.
3. The New Deal included initiatives focused on labor rights, such as the National Labor Relations Act, which strengthened workers' rights to unionize and bargain collectively.
4. The implementation of the New Deal helped reshape urban life by promoting public works projects that improved city infrastructure, housing, and transportation.
5. Critics of the New Deal argued that it expanded government intervention in the economy too much, while supporters believed it was essential for stabilizing the nation during a crisis.

Review Questions

• How did the New Deal programs address the issues faced by different social classes during the Great Depression?
  • The New Deal programs were designed to assist various social classes impacted by the Great Depression, particularly the working class and those living in poverty. Initiatives like the Civilian Conservation Corps provided jobs to young men from low-income families, while Social Security benefits offered financial support to the elderly and unemployed. By targeting assistance based on need, these programs aimed to alleviate suffering across different social strata and promote greater economic equality.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the New Deal in transforming urban life in America during the 1930s.
  • The effectiveness of the New Deal in transforming urban life can be seen through its extensive public works projects that improved infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and parks. This not only created jobs but also revitalized cities by enhancing living conditions. However, while it made significant strides in reducing unemployment and providing relief, some urban areas continued to struggle with poverty and inequality. The lasting impact of these initiatives laid the groundwork for future urban development policies.
• Analyze how the New Deal's approach to social welfare represented a shift in government responsibility towards its citizens.
  • The New Deal marked a significant shift in how the federal government viewed its responsibility to citizens, moving from a primarily laissez-faire approach to one where active intervention was seen as necessary for economic stability and social welfare. By establishing programs like Social Security and various relief agencies, the government took on a role that involved protecting its citizens from economic distress. This change laid the foundation for future welfare policies and established expectations for government support that would influence American social policy well beyond Roosevelt's presidency.

Related terms

Social Security Act: A landmark piece of legislation passed in 1935 that created a system of old-age benefits, unemployment insurance, and assistance for dependent mothers and children.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): A public work relief program established in 1933 that employed young men in environmental conservation projects, providing both jobs and vocational training.

Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA): A federal agency created in 1933 to provide direct relief for the unemployed through cash grants, food aid, and work relief programs.