Hundred Days

Definition

The Hundred Days refers to the initial period of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term in office, during which he enacted a series of new programs and policies aimed at addressing the economic crisis of the Great Depression. This rapid legislative action transformed the role of the federal government and laid the foundation for the New Deal.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The Hundred Days began on March 4, 1933, when Franklin D. Roosevelt was inaugurated as the 32nd President of the United States.
2. During this period, Roosevelt and the Democratic-controlled Congress passed a record number of bills, including the Emergency Banking Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Agricultural Adjustment Act.
3. The Hundred Days marked a significant shift in the role of the federal government, as Roosevelt's administration took a more active approach to addressing the economic crisis through increased government intervention and regulation.
4. The Hundred Days laid the foundation for the New Deal, a series of programs and policies aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform for the American people during the Great Depression.
5. The rapid pace of legislative action during the Hundred Days was a response to the dire economic conditions of the Great Depression, and it helped restore public confidence in the federal government's ability to address the crisis.

Review Questions

• Describe the key features and goals of the Hundred Days during the Rise of Franklin Roosevelt
  • The Hundred Days was a period of rapid legislative action during the early days of Franklin D. Roosevelt's first term as president. During this time, Roosevelt and the Democratic-controlled Congress passed a series of new programs and policies aimed at addressing the economic crisis of the Great Depression. The key features of the Hundred Days included the Emergency Banking Act, which allowed the federal government to inspect and reopen solvent banks, the Civilian Conservation Corps, which provided jobs and conservation efforts, the Tennessee Valley Authority, which brought economic development to a impoverished region, and the Agricultural Adjustment Act, which aimed to stabilize farm prices and production. The overarching goal of the Hundred Days was to provide immediate relief, recovery, and reform for the American people, laying the foundation for the broader New Deal programs that would follow.
• Explain how the Hundred Days initiatives were connected to the First New Deal
  • The Hundred Days initiatives were directly connected to the First New Deal, as they laid the groundwork for the broader set of programs and policies that would be enacted in the following years. The rapid legislative action during the Hundred Days, including the creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Agricultural Adjustment Act, were all part of the First New Deal. These early programs were designed to provide immediate relief and recovery for the American people, while also setting the stage for more comprehensive reforms that would be introduced as part of the Second New Deal. The Hundred Days marked a significant shift in the role of the federal government, with Roosevelt's administration taking a more active approach to addressing the economic crisis through increased intervention and regulation. This set the stage for the transformative changes that would come to define the New Deal era.
• Evaluate the long-term impact and legacy of the Hundred Days initiatives on the relationship between the federal government and the American people
  • The Hundred Days initiatives had a profound and lasting impact on the relationship between the federal government and the American people. By taking swift and decisive action to address the economic crisis of the Great Depression, the Roosevelt administration was able to restore public confidence in the government's ability to provide relief and support. The rapid enactment of programs like the Emergency Banking Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Agricultural Adjustment Act demonstrated the government's willingness to intervene in the economy and take an active role in promoting the welfare of its citizens. This marked a significant departure from the more hands-off approach of previous administrations, and it laid the foundation for the expanded role of the federal government that would come to define the New Deal era. The Hundred Days initiatives also helped to cement Roosevelt's reputation as a leader who was willing to take bold and decisive action to help the American people, further strengthening the bond between the government and the public. The legacy of the Hundred Days continues to shape the relationship between the federal government and the American people, as it established a precedent for the government's role in addressing economic and social challenges.

Related terms

New Deal: The New Deal was a series of economic programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression.

Emergency Banking Act: This act was one of the first pieces of legislation passed during the Hundred Days, which allowed the federal government to inspect and reopen solvent banks, restoring public confidence in the banking system.

Fireside Chats: These were a series of radio addresses delivered by President Roosevelt to the American people, which helped build public support for the New Deal programs enacted during the Hundred Days.