Start-Up The government should be directly involved in making the nation’s economy grow. [ ] Agree [ ] Disagree The government has a responsibility to help people who are in need.

Roosevelt’s Rise to Power Roosevelt began his political career as a progressive senator, then worked in the Wilson administration. After he suffered from polio, Roosevelt’s wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, spoke on his behalf and kept his political career alive. He laboriously taught himself to walk short distances while wearing iron braces on his hips and legs by swiveling his torso, supporting himself with a cane. He was careful never to be seen using his wheelchair in public, and great care was taken to prevent any portrayal in the press that would highlight his disability. Roosevelt won a landslide election for presidency in 1932, bringing confidence and hope that his “new deal for the American people” would help end the Great Depression.

The Hundred Days By Roosevelt’s inauguration, many banks had failed and one in four workers was unemployed. In his first 100 days in office, Roosevelt sent 15 major acts to Congress, which became known as the First New Deal. Roosevelt had advisors with varying viewpoints so that the consequences of each decision could be debated.

Banks and Debt Relief Roosevelt’s first policies, such as the Emergency Banking Relief Act, ensured that banks were financially sound. Roosevelt began radio addresses that discussed problems, and convinced Americans to put money in banks again. Regulations were put in place to keep the stock industry more stable. Other regulations included the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, which insures deposits. This restored public confidence in the banking system.

Farms and Industry New Deal government policies attempted to adjust prices on agricultural goods to help farmers. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration paid farmers to grow certain crops, livestock, and dairy products. The Tennessee Valley Authority controlled floods, conserved forests, and brought electricity to rural areas. The National Industrial Recovery Act regulated industry, setting minimum wages, work hours, and rules of fair competition.

Relief Programs The First New Deal had many programs designed to provide economic and employment relief to the public. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed young men to learn forestry services, such as planting trees to help prevent the erosion that caused the Dust Bowl. The FERA, PWA, and CWA programs provided funds for states to help the unemployed and increased construction projects on local, state, and federal levels.