Franklin Delano Roosevelt – the saviour of the depression?

4 th March 1933 –Roosevelt was sworn in as the 32 nd President of the United States – the only President ever to be elected for four terms. He represented hope to a destitute population who were disillusioned by the Republicans. Why FDR? 1. He wasn’t Hoover! 2. Restored confidence that there was a solution 3. He promised large scale government action

“One of these duties of the state (Federal government) is that of caring for those of its citizens who find themselves victims of such adverse circumstances as makes them unable to obtain even the necessities of existence without the aid of others” This is the complete OPPOSITE of LAISSEZ-FAIRE and RUGGED INDIVIDUALISM!!!

Main issues of the New Deal 1.How successful was it? 2.Why was there opposition to it? 3.Mistrust over the increasing power of the Federal government

FDR promised to: Stop the Depression Redistribute the wealth Recover the economy His approach was one of Federal INTERVENTIONISM and REGULATION, never seen before. He promised a NEW DEAL “….The only thing we have to fear is fear itself” “The nation asks for action and action’s now ”

The first 100 days 8 th March-16th June 1933 The 3 R’s: RELIEF RECOVERY REFORM Relieve the millions unemployed Rebuild the economy Create new laws for a fairer society FDR’s administration jumped into action and established a number of new government departments to RELIEVE, RECOVER and REFORM. FDR has been criticised for his refusal to meet with Hoover during the handover between the election in November 1932 and his official entrance into office in March By the end of the first 100 days, America was TRANSFORMED The Brain Trust devised the changes

Fireside Chats PzI PzI FDR held a number of fireside chats to the people. He gained respect for his direct and no nonsense approach. People were reassured by hearing him in their living room and followed his advice to reinvest in the banks. He was nicknamed the ‘Champ’.

FDR passed a number of reforms along with the establishment of new government departments to administrate relief and recovery.

1. Actions towards the banks P64 What did he do? Why did he do it? Why was it criticised? 2. Emergency Act P65 What did he do? Why did he do it?

3. Beer and Wine Revenue Act 22 nd March 1933 Ended Prohibition and made it legal to sell drinks that had up to 3.2% alcohol. This allowed the government to increase revenue from alcohol taxation and people were happier at this change.

4. ALPHABET AGENCIES These new departments were known by their initials hence the nickname ‘Alphabet Agencies’

How successful were these agencies? ALPHABET (Abbrev.) AGENCYAIM2 examplesHow successful? (Give a pro and a con) CCCCivilian Conservation Corps Employ men in countryside conservation $1/day – lived in army camps. Jobs inc. tree planting, strengthening river banks Pro – 3m employed in temporary work Con – White preferential treatment and segregated camps in South

In your opinion, which was the best Alphabet Agency? Do these changes deserve merit for ending the Depression?