Roosevelt’s New Deal

Social Security set up to help the elderly, disabled, children, and unemployed 1. created a pension for retired workers (65+) 2. offered unemployed short-term benefits while they looked for work 3. provided payments to women with dependent children or to disabled people

Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1 st woman ever appointed to the Cabinet believed in strong govt. involvement in the economy created labor reforms and government agencies to aid unemployment & workers

The WPA Works Project Administration – largest employer of the country purpose: create organizations that give jobs & wages to people currently unemployed –Ex. building roads, libraries, parks, airports, etc.

Civilian Conservation Corps designed to tackle the problem of unemployed young men (18-25) gave environmental jobs to men: plant trees, built public parks, restocked rivers with fish, etc. 3 million men served in the CCC

The Federal Housing Administration insured mortgages of lower-income Americans (helping these people afford homes) provided loans to local govts. for public housing projects

Eleanor Roosevelt political “helpmate” (compared to Hillary Clinton) she became FDR’s eyes & ears (especially during ill times) strong 1 st lady behind the man

Arizona & the Depression Route 66 – population increase (migrant farmers from the Dust Bowl) JOBS! Copper, cotton, farming, and mining flourished during this time copper & cotton prices drop

Indian New Deal hopped on the bandwagon used federal funding to create jobs for Indians on reservations (built schools, hospitals, gave food aid) Indian Reorganization Act – self- governing reservations

Congress of Industrial Organization federation of unions that organized industrial workers sit-down strike – remained in the factories but refused to work –to prevent owners from replacing them with new employees

The Supreme Court Supreme Ct. worried that President Roosevelt was taking more power than the Constitution The Court had ruled against some New Deal programs, so… “Court Packing bill” – allowed the President to appoint up to 6 new justices; rejected; but established power of the Presidency

Why haven’t we had another Depression? govt. set up programs to prevent another Depression –i–i.e. Social Security & Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation