America 2.2 The Effectiveness of the New Deal Flashcards
How did the Emergency Banking Act, Economy Act and Beer Act benefit America? (AM 2.2)
- EBA closed and inspected banks, allowing good ones to restart. Good banks led to good business and jobs.
- EA cut government wages 15%, saving 1bn.
- BA ended prohibition, reducing crime and generating tax revenue.
How did the Farm Credit Administration and Agricultural Adjustment Agency aid farmers? What criticism did the AAA face? (AM 2.2)
- FCA lent money to farmers unable to repay loans.
- AAA paid farmers to underproduce, raising selling prices. Criticised for destroying food while millions starved.
How did the National Recovery Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority and Home Owners Loan Corporation help workers and industry? (AM 2.2)
- NRA allowed trade unions. Some employers wouldn’t allow this, causing strikes.
- TVA created jobs making damns and power stations along the valley area.
- HOLC gave loans to those struggling with mortgages.
How did the Civilian Conservation Corps, Civil Works Administration and Federal Emergency Relief Agency help the unemployed? (AM 2.2)
- CCC provided 2.5m jobs to 18-25yo men.
- CWA provided 4m jobs building roads and schools.
- FERA gave 500m to help the homeless.
Why did the rich, republicans and businesses oppose the new deal? How did the Supreme Court handle it? (AM 2.2)
- Rich hated raised tax. Businesses hated interference. Republicans disliked government power, saying Roosevelt was a dictator.
- Declared AAA illegal, as farms were a ‘state problem’. Declared NRA codes illegal.
What New Deal alternatives did Huey Long, Francis Townsend and Charles Coughlin present? (AM 2.2)
- Huey Long wanted fortunes over 5m confiscated and redistributed as 5000 per family.
- Francis Townsend wanted everyone to retire at 60 to allow more room for working.
- Charles Coughlin set up ‘National Union for Social Justice’ to provide work. Support declined after he attacked the Jewish in speeches.
How effective was the New Deal, in relation to banks, strikes and GNP? (AM 2.2)
- Bank failures dropped.
- Workers went on strikes more in 1934, but by 1938 went on strike less.
- GNP rose steadily from 1933 to 1941.
How did the New Deal treat workers and farmers? (AM 2.2)
- Provided work for many. Wagner Act allowed unions, treated with suspicion by employers.
- Raised crop prices. Saved from eviction. Small scale farmers saw little benefit.
How did the New Deal treat African-Americans and American Indians? (AM 2.2)
- CCC camps segregated, but 200,000 jobs given, such as government official Mary McLeod Bethune.
- Loans provided for land. Indian Reservation Act 1934 gave them rights. Many still lived in poverty.
How did the New Deal treat women? (AM 2.2)
-Many found work. NRA codes set their wages lower than men’s.
How did the New Deal end due to unemployment and industry, and when was the end announced? (AM 2.2)
- Worried about cost, Roosevelt cut spending. Unemployment jumped 3m. Rose to 10.5m in 1938. Thousands in car and steel industry went on strike as prices and production fell.
- End announced in January 1939.
How did music handle the New Deal? (AM 2.2)
-Jazz remained popular as gramophone sales increased. Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington sold huge numbers.
How did cinema handle the New Deal? (AM 2.2)
-Horror, historical drama, musicals were popular. Charlie Chaplin and Laurel and Hardy thrived in Comedy.
How did comic books handle the New Deal? (AM 2.2)
-Popularity soared after Action Comics starred superman in 1938.
How did literature handle the New Deal? (AM 2.2)
-Erskine Caldwell and others wrote about the Depression, poverty and racism.
