The New Deal’s Affects on Many Groups Chapter 23.2 – 23.5

Friends & Enemies of “The New Deal” The strongest opposition to FDR’s “New Deal” came from business leaders. Why? Strongest support came from middle class workers, farmers, and immigrants.

Improvements The economy improved by 1935, but it had not improved to FDR’s expectations. The New Deal is extremely popular (as are Roosevelt & his wife, Eleanor) He then sought to expand on the programs passed during the “hundred days” and continue the government's work programs.

The Election of 1936… Roosevelt vs Alfred Landon ® Once again Roosevelt wins and the Democrats secure a majority in the House (Senate, House of representatives) *First election where more African Americans vote Democrat than Republican

Women in the 30s Women were appointed to several government positions during FDR’s 1936 administration Women began to gain a larger share of the workforce (more jobs) but still face discrimination and were usually paid less and held less powerful positions. A Gallup poll in 1936 showed that 82% of Americans believed that a wife should not work outside the home if her husband had a job.

African-Americans in the 30s FDR appointed more than 100 African-Americans to key governmental positions FDR never fully committed to civil rights because he feared losing the support of southern whites (the largest portion of the Democrat vote) Some New Deal programs openly discriminated against African-Americans… offering them lower pay for the same work & excluding them from positions of power

Mexican-Americans in the 30s A large amount of Mexican-Americans had come to the country during the 1920s and settled in the Southwest working as laborers on farms Mostly supported FDR and his New Deal because they benefitted from programs that gave relief to farmers and new collective bargaining laws

Native-Americans Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 helped some by… 1. Strengthening tribal land claims 2. Moving away from “assimilation schools” where N.A. children went sent to “learn to be white” *Meriam Report in 1928 3. Tribes could elect their own councils & govern their own reservations

Culture of the 1930s Movies, radio, art, and literature all flourished during the 1930s 65% of Americans went to at least one movie per week 90% of Americans owned a radio Movie topics: comedies, musicals, love stories, gangster films

Lasting affects of the New Deal The New Deal represents a moment in history when the government began taking a larger role in its citizen’s lives FDR and the New Deal shape the underlying philosophy behind the modern Democratic Party (Progressivism, Government action / programs) Social Security – the government’s responsibility for the social welfare of its citizens through programs and relief for people with inadequate income (elderly, the poor, mentally ill, disabled, etc)

Book Questions Pg. 728 (Terms 1-5, Main Ideas #1, 2,) Pg. 729 (#1-3 “Timeline”) STUDY GUIDE NEXT UNIT: World War II