The Election of 1932 After three years of Hoover’s failed policies and the discontentment of the American people, the Democratic Party eagerly prepared for the election of The Democratic Party had nominated Franklin Roosevelt, the charismatic and articulate candidate who was the Governor of New York.

Hoover and the Great Depression “Laissez Faire”, a French word for “let do” or quite literally “let it be”, accurately describes the economic philosophy that governed the United States during the early 20 th century. Consecutive Republican administrations had allowed big business to control the economy and exercise complete control over wages. When the Depression began, many of major industries fired workers and greatly reduced the hours of their employees. These harsh measures were taken with no backlash from federal authority.

The Election of 1932 A distant cousin of former President Teddy Roosevelt, FDR embodied the confidence that so many Americans yearned for. Roosevelt continually campaigned on a “New Deal” for American people where government intervention would become a necessity. Winning the election in a landslide, Franklin Roosevelt would come to redefine the American presidency.

The Election of 1932 On his inauguration day, President Roosevelt continued to encourage American citizens that prosperity was not far off. He gave citizens hope in a very desperate time. As his voice boomed over a national broadcast, he declared to his audience that “The only thing we have to fear is fear itself.”

The Election of 1932 Throughout Roosevelt’s Presidency he would begin to use the radio as a new medium to reach the American public. In what became known as his “fireside chats,” Roosevelt would address many of the pressing issues that were on people’s minds. Topics such as the banking crisis, the threat of fascism, and unemployment were addressed and his reassurance helped give Americans a peace of mind amidst their turmoil.

The New Deal As soon as F.D.R. came into office, he immediately began to enact many of the government programs that he had promised throughout his campaign. These series of new government programs and reforms became collectively known as “The New Deal” In the first three months as president, later known as “The First Hundred Days” Roosevelt and Congress enacted more than a dozen measures to help relieve Americans from poverty.

The New Deal In the very first day of his presidency Roosevelt passed legislation known as the Emergency Banking Act which enabled the government to take direction with banks. Roosevelt then enacted a “Bank Holiday” which closed down all banks and rushed them emergency federal funds. In doing so, he set up new policies for failed banks, increased government control, and assured that public that they could again put their money back into their banks.

The New Deal Up next on Roosevelt’s agenda was creating programs that would allow Americans to return to work. Unemployment numbers had increased as high as 25% nationally and citizens were eager to find work of any kind. Many of these organizations focused on having young men occupied with work rather than dwelling on the streets.

New Deal Programs The Works Progress Administration (WPA) represented Roosevelt’s major relief program. This organization employed more than 8.5 million people to build bridges, roads, public buildings, parks and airports throughout the country. As the largest of the New Deal programs, this organization would eventually come to an end in 1943.

New Deal Programs The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was created to help farmers recover from the Depression and the overproduction crisis. This act essentially paid subsidies to farmers in return for cutting production. This allowed the federal government to cut down on overproduction while ensuring that farmers were still receiving adequate compensation for their work.

New Deal Programs Throughout the Depression, banks had done little to instill confidence in the American public. However, through the creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), Americans deposits would now be insured up to 5,000 dollars. This encouraged citizens to put their money back into their local banks and no longer under their mattresses.

New Deal Programs One of Roosevelt’s most lasting programs was the Social Security Act. A program that is still in existence today, Social Security ensured that retired Americans would have still have an income in their later years. Now all working Americans would be required to set aside a small portion of their paycheck to the Social Security program. This money would then be distributed to applicable retirees and ensured they would have an income even after they stopped working.

Lasting Impact of Roosevelt The lasting impact of the New Deal can still be seen throughout America’s countryside. Organizations such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) built many public works and created structures and parks that can still be seen across the nation. The CCC created over 800 parks nationwide and allowed young men to earn an income in order to support their families.

Lasting Impact of Roosevelt The CCC had two main goals for America: conservation of natural resources and salvaging America’s young men. This organization was able to employ more than three million men with camps all throughout the country. One project of the CCC was the creation and advancement of Shenandoah National Park. Over ten camps housing up to 1,000 young men worked to create what became Skyline Drive.

Lasting Impact of Roosevelt The New Deal also created a renewed confidence in the government’s ability to intervene in the economy. People now believed that the government should be responsible for providing public services. In politics there was a significant shift towards liberalism and the black vote would now be predominantly controlled by the Democratic Party.

Lasting Impact of Roosevelt Roosevelt was also extremely successful in strengthening the Democratic Party. His political agenda would sustain the Democratic Party for generations to come. F.D.R would massively increase the power of the federal government.