 Most Americans disillusioned by President Hoover’s reluctance to do much about Depression.  Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) elected with promise to bring government help.

 Weekly radio addresses from FDR to reassure Americans  Trust the banks  Promote his New Deal  Public generally responds

 FDR immediately puts a relief plan in place called “The New Deal.”  Major change from Hoover Large amount of government intervention Large amount of government regulation Critics accuse FDR of socialism  The Three “R’s” Relief – immediate help for those most in need Recovery – move US out of economic turmoil Reform – change policies to prevent future crisis

 The “Banking Holiday” Government closes banks to stop their collapse. FDIC  (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation)  Insures deposits up to $2500  now $250,000  Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Regulation of the stock market Power to investigate companies with stock  Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) Provides subsidies for farmers to NOT grow crops Helps farmers, but hurts sharecroppers in South

 Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Funding to build hydroelectric dams in South Puts thousands to work – money to spend  Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Provided jobs to build and maintain National parks, roads, bridges, airports, etc.  Works Progress Administration (WPA) Provided jobs to artists and actors  Programs do put people to work but it does not generate enough to pull US out of economic troubles.

LIBERAL DEMOCRATS CONSERVATIVE REPUBLICANS  Workers and Labor Unions want laws guaranteeing collective bargaining  claimed FDR didn’t do enough to relieve suffering  Doesn’t do enough for women  Doesn’t help plight of African Americans (48% unemployed) and most programs were segregated  Argued that it was way too expensive “deficit spending”  Not produce enough results  Feared FDR was creating an American socialism  Accused FDR of making the president more powerful than Congress

 The “Court Packing” Scheme Supreme Court rules several of FDR’s programs unconstitutional. FDR attempts to have a constitutional amendment to add six judges to Supreme Court Would increase the number from 9 to 15. As president, he would get to pick the six FDR is harshly criticized

 Social Security Act Unemployment, disability, elderly Criticisms  Takes money out of paychecks  Benefits not realized until retirement  Beginning of the “Welfare State”  Fair Labor Standards Act Minimum wage Maximum hours Labor unions the power to bargain  Taxes on wealthy raised Criticism of New Deal increases from powerful and wealthy Americans

 Harshly criticized for not taking a more direct role in race relations.  Forms “Black Cabinet” First president to invite black leaders to White House Serve as advisors for race relations Among first African-Americans in federal government positions

 “use it up, wear it out and make it or do without”  New Deal does not directly assist women  Eleanor Roosevelt One of most active first ladies Pushes FDR to include women and minorities Appointment of Frances Perkins  First female cabinet member