Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president in 1932 on a platform of direct government intervention to solve problems caused by the Great Depression. As part of his New Deal, FDR and Congress passed programs to provide relief for the needy, promote economic recovery, and enact financial reforms. The New Deal included creating the FDIC to insure bank accounts, the CCC to employ young men in public works projects, and the AAA to raise crop prices by reducing production. FDR later introduced the Second New Deal, influenced by Eleanor Roosevelt, which aimed to further aid farmers, youth, workers and other groups through acts such as the Social Security program and WPA.

1. Unit 2- The Great Depression

2.  I. Roosevelt (FDR) wins 1932 election
 A. Dems win H.O.R. and Senate
 B. FDR’s philosophy:
 1. Direction Intervention- Gov’t should solve
try and solve the problems the country is
facing
 2. Deficit Spending- When the gov’t spends
more $ than it generates in revenue

3.  C. New Deal- series of gov’t programs designed to
alleviate problems of the Depression
 Focuses on:
 1. Relief for the needy
 2. Economic Recovery
 3. Financial Reform

4.  D. 100 Days- March to June, Congress passes 15
major New Deal programs
 1. Emergency Banking Relief Act (EBRA)- restore
confidence in banks, close struggling ones and loans
to keep others to stay afloat
 2. Federal Deposit Insurance Corp. (FDIC)-
insured bank accounts up to $5000

5.  3. Federal Securities Act (FSA)- Required
companies to tell the truth about earnings
 4. Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)- raised
crop prices by lowering production, paid famers
not to grow
 5. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)- Put
young men to work building roads, planting trees,
etc.- $30 a month

6.  II. Fireside Chats- FDR’s radio addresses about
the New Deal
 “The country needs bold, persistent
experimentation. It is common sense to
take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it
frankly and try another. But above all, TRY
SOMETHING”

7.  III. Criticisms of the New Deal
 A. Conservatives criticized the amount of money
spent and power of the Fed Gov’t
 B. Liberals didn’t think it went far enough
- FDR wins landslide re-election in 1936

8.  IV. Second New Deal
 A. Largely influenced by Eleanor Roosevelt
 B. Help for farmers
1. Soil Conservation Act
2. Second AAA

9.  C. Help for youth, professionals and other workers
 1. Works Progress Admin (WPA)- provided jobs
building airports, fixing roads and buildings
 2. National Youth Admin (NYA)- $ for college and
job training

10.  3. Wagner Act- Protected workers right to join
unions
 4. Fair Labor Standards Act- 44 hrs max/week,
set minimum wage at .25/hour

11.  D. Help for other groups
 1. US Housing Authority (USHA)- Low cost
public housing
 2. Social Security- pension for retired people
and help for the disabled