The New Deal
President Franklin D. Roosevelt He promised “a new deal for the American people”. Declared 4 day bank holiday the day after he became president; he passed a law to help fix the banks. He convinced people through his fireside chats: radio talks; to believe in the banks again and use them.
Three Points to End Depression Help for unemployed Economic recovery Reform to prevent future depressions
Help for Unemployed 15 bills passed, Fed. Gov. gave money to states to reopen relief agencies. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC); gave people jobs in national parks & other places planting trees, creating parks, digging irrigation canals, & building reservoirs. Works Progress Administration (WPA); jobs repairing public buildings, paving roads & airports, making bridges, painting murals, & writing stories.
Economic Recovery Created new programs to help stimulate the economy; most of it didn’t work. Public Works Administration (PWA) built Florida’s Key West Highway & New York’s Lincoln Tunnel.
Reform to Prevent Future Depressions Truth-in-Securities Act: made corporations tell the public the truth about their stocks. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): guaranteed individual deposits up to $2,500, helping people regain faith in the banks. Also strengthened the Food and Drug Administration to improve product safety. Created Social Security; pension to retired people.