New Deal

Definition

The New Deal was a series of economic programs and reforms implemented in the United States during the Great Depression under the administration of President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The primary goals of the New Deal were to provide relief, recovery, and reform for the American people who were struggling with the devastating effects of the economic crisis.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The New Deal was a response to the Great Depression, which had caused widespread unemployment, poverty, and economic hardship across the United States.
2. The New Deal programs were designed to provide immediate relief for the unemployed and impoverished, as well as to promote long-term economic recovery and reform.
3. The First Hundred Days of the Roosevelt administration saw the passage of numerous laws and programs, including the Emergency Banking Act, the Civilian Conservation Corps, and the Tennessee Valley Authority.
4. The Social Security Act established a system of old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid for the disabled and dependent, providing a critical safety net for millions of Americans.
5. The Second New Deal focused on more ambitious reforms, such as the Wagner Act, which protected the rights of workers to organize and bargain collectively.

Review Questions

• Describe the key goals and objectives of the New Deal.
  • The New Deal had three primary goals: relief, recovery, and reform. Relief measures were designed to provide immediate assistance to the unemployed and impoverished, such as through the creation of jobs programs and the establishment of a social safety net. Recovery efforts aimed to stimulate the economy and promote long-term economic growth, while reform measures sought to address the underlying structural issues that had contributed to the Great Depression, such as by regulating the financial industry and protecting workers' rights.
• Explain the significance of the First Hundred Days and the Second New Deal in the context of the New Deal.
  • The First Hundred Days of the Roosevelt administration were a period of intense legislative activity, during which numerous laws and programs were enacted to provide immediate relief and lay the foundation for economic recovery. The Second New Deal, which followed in the subsequent years, focused on more ambitious reforms, such as the Social Security Act and the Wagner Act, which aimed to address the root causes of the economic crisis and transform the role of the federal government in the lives of American citizens. Together, these two phases of the New Deal represented a fundamental shift in the relationship between the government and the people, as the federal government took on a more active role in promoting economic security and social welfare.
• Analyze the long-term impact of the New Deal on the American economy and society.
  • The New Deal had a profound and lasting impact on the American economy and society. By providing a social safety net and protecting workers' rights, the New Deal helped to alleviate the immediate suffering caused by the Great Depression and laid the foundation for a more stable and equitable economic system. The creation of programs like Social Security and the establishment of labor unions helped to reduce poverty and inequality, while the regulation of the financial industry helped to prevent future economic crises. Additionally, the New Deal's investment in infrastructure and the development of the Tennessee Valley Authority helped to spur economic growth and modernize the country. Overall, the New Deal represented a significant shift in the role of the federal government in promoting the well-being of its citizens, and its legacy continues to shape American politics and society to this day.

Related terms

The First Hundred Days: The first 100 days of President Roosevelt's administration, during which he worked with Congress to pass a series of new laws and programs aimed at addressing the Great Depression.

Social Security Act:

A landmark piece of legislation passed in 1935 that established a system of old-age pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid for the disabled and dependent.

The Second New Deal: The second phase of the New Deal, which focused on more ambitious reforms, such as the Wagner Act, the Social Security Act, and the creation of the Works Progress Administration (WPA).