UNIT 12 FDR & The Great Depression

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT WON THE ELECTION…WHY?  The depression left many unemployed and homeless  Franklin believed that the depression required strong action and leadership by the federal government to help Americans recover  He accepted the democratic party and did not know much about the economic hardship  Also pledged the “New Deal” which was intended to combat the depression

CONT…  Hoovers popularity declined as the depression worsened  Franklin won by a land slide and defeated Hoover by about 7 million votes  Even though the democrats lost election, Franklin was considered the rising star of the party.

WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN PUBLIC?  FDR proposes “packing” the court  Unveiled a plan that would dilute the power of the sitting justices of the supreme court.  His justification was that the constitution did not specify the number of judges on the court and claimed that many of the justices were elderly and overworked.

CONT…  Also wanted to a create a welfare state, a government that assumes responsibility for providing for the welfare of children, the poor, the elderly, the sick, the disabled, and the unemployed.  A number of his new deal programs such as the CCC, aimed at restoring forests and preserving the environment

ACTION TOOK IN FIRST FEW MONTHS OF OFFICE AND THE “HUNDRED DAYS”  Passed 15 bills  First new deal dealt with relief, effects of depression, recover y, long term economy, and reformation  Emergency banking bill- closed banks until they got accounts in order  Fireside chats- tells everyone what he's planning and eases everyone's mind

CONT…  Created a federal deposit corporation- insures bank deposits up to $5,000  Securities and exchange commission regulate the stock market  Agricultural adjustment act- created to end over production financial aid to farmers who didn’t plant part of heir land and kill extra livestock  Tennessee Valley Authority- Built dams to control floods and generate electric power

CONT…  Civilian conservation corps provided jobs for 2 million men, replanted forests, built trails, dug immigration ditches, and fought fires  Federal emergency relief- granted federal funds to states and local agencies to help unemployed  Home owners loan cooperation- loaned money at low interest rates to home owners who couldn’t pay mortgage  Federal housing administration- insured bank loans for building & repairing houses

CONT…  National Industry Recovery Act- established national recovery administration, developed codes of fair competition to govern whole industries  Public works administration- built bridges, dams, power plants, and government buildings