The New Deal

Election of 1932 Republican – Herbert Hoover Democrat – Franklin Roosevelt

#32 President Franklin D. Roosevelt More commonly known as “FDR” Former New York Governor Distant cousin of former President Theodore Roosevelt Promised to help end the Great Depression Diagnosed with polio in 1923 (mostly paralyzed him) Longest serving president in US History (4 terms)

Roosevelt’s New Deal Roosevelt used his first 100 days in office to implement his new ideas He called his new plan the “New Deal” Plan centered around 3 proposed points Relief: the concept of helping people immediately to get out of the misery of the Depression Recovery: aimed at helping the business community and restarting the economy Reform: trying to change the country so that a depression could never again have significant effects on the country

The Tennessee Valley Authority The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) helped farmers and created jobs and energy for the Tennessee River Valley. Helped to bring jobs to the very poor South. Provided electricity to many rural areas. Allowed for the control of rivers that often flooded and damaged property.

Labor Reforms In 1935, Congress passed a National Labor Relations Act, called the Wagner Act, which legalized collective bargaining Collective bargaining – negotiating wages and conditions of employment It outlawed spying on union activities and blacklisting. The Wagner Act caused a great increase in union membership. The act set up a National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to enforce its rules. In 1938, a Fair Labor Standards Act banned child labor and set up a minimum wage.

The 1st New Deal Meets Limited Success Roosevelt’s first attempt to help bring the US out of the Depression did not fully complete the job There was still work to be done as the Depression kept its tight grip on most of American society The limited success of the New Deal caused many Americans to begin to grow frustrated with the continuing grip of the Depression

Roosevelt’s 2nd New Deal In 1935, FDR used his increasing executive power to pass the Second New Deal to continue an attempt to increase the relief felt by many Americans from the Depression. 2nd New Deal promised an increase in: Social welfare benefits Government controls over business Government support for unions Taxes on the wealthy (the government decided who was considered “wealthy”)

Social Legislation In 1935, Congress passed the Social Security Act Established a Social Security System in the US This system offered 3 types of insurance backed by the government: Old-age pensions and survivors’ benefits. Unemployment insurance. Aid for dependent children, the blind, and the physically disabled.

The Legacy of the New Deal The biggest success of the New Deal was that it gave Americans some sense of hope in the midst of the Depression Government programs/intervention claimed to be the difference between survival and starvation for millions of Americans.

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt FDR’s most important colleague was his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. Eleanor and Franklin were actually 5th cousins, each from a different branch of the Roosevelt family The public got used to her unconventional style, and many came to admire her for her enthusiasm, humanity, and idealism. She became the face of Roosevelt’s government due to his disability. Eleanor also used her status in FDR’s administration to push some parts of her own agenda (African American Rights and Women’s Rights)

Huey Long Opposes FDR Huey Long Democratic governor of Louisiana. Long laregely disagreed with Roosevelt’s plans and ideas and proposed his own plans to target the Depression. He proposed redistributing the wealth of America to try and curb poverty and end the Great Depression. His slogan became “Every Man a King” He wanted to significantly raise taxes on everyone in the US in an attempt to supply government programs to help the poor Long was assassinated in 1935 at the age of 42. Some accused FDR of planning Long’s death

Election of 1936 Republican – Alf Landon Democrat – Franklin Roosevelt

“Court Packing” scandal Because the Supreme Court had overturned some of FDR’s plans, he wanted to change the Supreme Court to meet his goals and pass his own agenda. FDR wanted the number of judges serving on the Supreme Court changed from 9 to 15 (to "pack the court"). Roosevelt tried to bypass Congress by executive action but met with heavy resistance FDR eventually backed down from his proposal

The Neutrality Acts Still weary from US involvement in WWI, many in the US wanted to stay OUT of the conflict brewing in Europe and the Pacific. Nazi Germany was gaining power in Europe Imperial Japan was gaining power in the Pacific Congress passed Neutrality Acts in 1935, 1936 and 1937 that prohibited the US from selling weapons to any warring nation. Roosevelt didn’t like that these acts prevented the US from helping its allies.

Election of 1940 Republican – Wendell Willkie Democrat – Franklin Roosevelt

TICKET OUT THE DOOR Read the selection on the back of your guided notes comparing and contrasting the New Deal with the Progressive Era Complete the chart below on your own paper PROGRESSIVE ERA SIMILARITIES NEW DEAL