How did President F.D. Roosevelt Try to Fight the Great Depression? U.S. History & Governemnt

What We Will Learn What was the New Deal? What did Franklin Delano Roosevelt do during the Hundred Days? Why were Roosevelt’s fireside chats significant? What We Will Learn

What you will be able to do Explain what is the New Deal Summarize the initial steps Roosevelt took to reform banking and finance Describe New Deal work programs Identify critics of FDR’s New Deal What you will be able to do

Review of What Went Before Early 1900s – Progressive Era Teddy Roosevelt – Time of Reforms Roaring 20s – New Ideas, good economic times Early 1930s The Great Depression

Election of Roosevelt Franklin Delano Roosevelt elected in 1932 Ran against Herbert Hoover Hoover was unpopular because of Depression Landslide: Roosevelt, 23 million votes; Hoover, 13 million votes

Roosevelt elected in 1932, but did not take office until 1933 During the time between election and taking office, FDR Carefully picked advisors – professors, lawyers, journalists Came to be called the “Brain Trust” Developed set of policies to help problems of the Great Depression. What is the New Deal?

New Deal The New Deal had following goals The set of policies developed by Franklin Roosevelt to help problems of the Great Depression. The New Deal had following goals To provide relief for the needy To have economic recovery To do financial reform New Deal

Theodore Roosevelt FDR was related to Theodore Roosevelt New Deal echoed his “Square Deal”

Why should we care about the New Deal? Some say that that country was in such a bad state, that if not for the New Deal reforms there might have been a revolution or even a fascist take-over, as was occurring in Europe that led to World War II. The New Deal helped put many back to work, improving the economy and giving people hope. Set the ground work for how government works today: Increased government control.

Some programs still exist and are important to us! Federal Deposit Insurance Corp (FDIC) - Protects your money in the bank. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) – Helps keep corporations from committing fraud. National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) – Protects workers rights. Social Security Expanded electricity to rural areas Developed policies to help farmers Paved the way for conservation programs

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt FDR created New Deal, but Eleanor, his wife, also influential… Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Some “first ladies” (wives of presidents) historically stay in the background. Eleanor, however, was influential in her own way and powerfully influence history.

Born into wealthy family in New York state They came from rich families, but their backgrounds gave them empathy with those less well-off… Franklin Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt Born into wealthy family in New York state State senator, secretary of Navy, governor of New York Got polio in 1921, paralyzed from waist down Because of his disability, had greater compassion for people Interested in progressive causes Interested in child welfare, housing reform, equal rights for women and civil rights Active speaker, writer, popular in her own right Helped influence FDR’s progressive policies

Definition – The first 100 days of FDRs presidency in which he pushed numerous programs through Congress 15 major pieces of New Deal legislation approved by Congress Expanded government’s role in the economy Opposite of Hoover who believed in limited role of government The Hundred Days

Banking & Finance Reform First thing Roosevelt did One reason for Depression was unregulated banking practices FDR’s first step was to declare a “banking holiday” Banking holiday (def) – Closed all banks for a brief period of time To prevent further withdrawals and “panic” Banks inspected to determine if “solvent” – could stay in business Only those “healthy” could stay in business Restored public confidence in banks Banking & Finance Reform

Fireside Chats FDR went on radio to discuss his reforms to the public. Also helped public confidence.

FDR’s Fireside Chat http://www.americanrhetoric.com/mp3clips/politicalspeeches/fdrfirstfiresidechat63496436943.mp3

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Put young men 18 – 25 building roads, parks , etc

National Recovery Act (NRA) Established code of fair practice To stop trend of wage cuts, fall prices, and layoffs

National Recovery Administration (NRA) Established code of fair practice To stop trend of wage cuts, fall prices, and layoffs Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Furnish loans for houses Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) Provided direct relief for the needy

Reasons Why Some Opposed Roosevelt used deficit spending – spending more money than it received in taxes Some opposed to this Some liberals believed that FDR hadn’t done enough to help the poor and reform economic system Some conservatives believed that this gave government too much power and would lead to socialism (government control of economy) Reasons Why Some Opposed

Examples of Opposition Charles Coughlin, Catholic priest, used radio to deliver messages Huey Long, U.S. senator from Louisana, wanted to become president Proposed his own welfare program Promised “something for everyone”

Court Packing Bill Definition - FDR asked Congress to approve appointing 6 new justices Reason why – In 1933 Supreme Court struck down NIRA as unconstitutional in 1933. Fear that New Deal would be dismantled. Bill was controversial and not approved by Congress In 1937, elderly justice retired and Hugo Black , supporter of FDR’s policies appointed Court started ruling in favor of New Deal programs

Results of “First” New Deal Programs started during first 100 Days were helping, but gains not as great as he expected Unemployment remained high Production still less than 1920s The New Deal still was popular, so had public support Helped by Eleanor Roosevelt – who travelled the country in support Results of “First” New Deal

FDR’s efforts continue… The Second New Deal FDR’s efforts continue…

Also… National Recovery Association (NRA) Established code of fair practice To stop trend of wage cuts, fall prices, and layoffs Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Furnish loans for houses Federal Emergency Relief Association (FERA) Provided direct relief for the needy

The Second New Deal …the Second Hundred Days – Additional programs developed Farmers Relief Labor Social Security Utilities

Help for Farmers

Help for Farmers Soil Conservation and Domestic Allottment Act Paid farmers for cutting production of soil-depleting crops Awarded farmers for good soil conservation methods Provided small loans for sharecroppers to buy land

Additional Relief

Additional Relief Works Progress Administration (WPA) Helped youth, professionals, and other workers Spent $11 billion to put 8 million people to work Created 850 airports, 651,000 miles of roads and streets, 125,000 public buildings, and women made 300 million garments for the needy

Labor

Labor Wagner Act in 1935 Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 Established collective bargaining Prohibited unfair firings of union members or organizing unions Fair Labor Standards Act in 1938 Maximum working hours to 44 hours per week Set minimum wage (25 cents per hour) Limited workers under 16

Social Security Act

Social Security Passed in 1935 Aid to those over 65 Half came from workers and half from employees Some other benefits

Utilities

Utilities Expanded electricity throughout country In 1935, only 12.6 percent of farms had electricity By 1949 was 90 percent Also regulated electrical utilities Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)