New Deal programs

Definition

New Deal programs were a series of federal initiatives launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, aimed at economic recovery, social reform, and relief for the unemployed. These programs reshaped the role of the federal government in American life and helped to redefine American culture, the economy, and the middle class.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The New Deal consisted of two main phases: the First New Deal (1933-1934) focused on immediate relief and recovery, while the Second New Deal (1935-1936) emphasized social reforms.
2. Major programs included the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which provided jobs through public works projects, and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), aimed at boosting agricultural prices by controlling production.
3. The New Deal significantly increased the federal government's role in the economy, leading to a lasting shift in American political attitudes towards government intervention.
4. It inspired new forms of art and literature as part of cultural initiatives, reflecting the experiences of ordinary Americans during the Great Depression.
5. While the New Deal did not fully end the Great Depression, it laid the foundation for economic recovery and established safety nets that persist in modern America.

Review Questions

• How did New Deal programs change the relationship between the federal government and American citizens?
  • New Deal programs fundamentally transformed how Americans viewed their relationship with the federal government by expanding its role in economic and social welfare. Prior to this era, the government had a more limited scope in addressing individual hardships. With initiatives like Social Security and public works programs, citizens began to expect government intervention during crises, creating a new norm of federal responsibility for economic stability and individual welfare.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of specific New Deal programs in addressing the issues faced during the Great Depression.
  • Specific New Deal programs had varying levels of effectiveness. For instance, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) successfully provided jobs to young men while promoting environmental conservation. However, while initiatives like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) helped millions find work through infrastructure projects, critics argued they did not completely solve unemployment. The impact on agriculture was mixed; while the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) aimed to raise crop prices, it also faced backlash for displacing tenant farmers. Overall, these programs offered relief but did not fully end economic distress.
• Analyze how the New Deal reshaped American culture and contributed to the development of a middle class in the United States.
  • The New Deal played a crucial role in reshaping American culture by promoting values of community support and government responsibility. Programs that supported labor rights and established minimum wage standards helped create a more stable working class. This stability allowed many families to achieve home ownership and access education, essential components of a burgeoning middle class. The emphasis on arts through initiatives like the Federal Art Project fostered a shared cultural identity that emphasized resilience during hard times, further solidifying these changes in American society.

Related terms

Social Security Act:

A 1935 law that created a system of old-age benefits and unemployment insurance, marking a significant expansion of the government's role in providing social welfare.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC):

A public work relief program that operated from 1933 to 1942, providing jobs for young men in environmental conservation projects, thus combining economic relief with environmental sustainability.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC):

A government agency created in 1933 to insure bank deposits, helping to restore public confidence in the banking system after widespread bank failures during the Great Depression.