New Deal

Question 1

What issue did the Emergency Banking Act aim to resolve, and how was it implemented?

Answer 1

• Addressed the Banking Crisis and Economic Depression of 1933.
  
  • Implemented a temporary closure of all banks for four days.
  • Reopened 5,000 trustworthy banks after meticulous evaluation.
  • Provided government support to banks if necessary.
  • Implemented regulations to curb reckless speculation and restored confidence in the banking system.

Question 2

What was the purpose of Roosevelt’s fireside chats, and how did he utilize the media to address economic distress?

Answer 2

• Alleviated economic distress and uncertainty during the Great Depression.
  
  • Used radio for fireside chats to explain actions and reasons.
  • Engaged directly with citizens, inviting them to write about their problems.
  • Successful, reaching an estimated 60 million Americans.

Question 3

What was the purpose of the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), and how did it operate?

Answer 3

• Aimed to meet urgent needs during the Great Depression.
  
  • Allocated $500 million for relief measures: soup kitchens, blankets, employment schemes, and nursery schools.
  • FERA’s achievements were often disappointing (viewed poor’s situation as own fault)
  • Established the idea of federal government funds.

Question 4

What measures were taken by the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), and what were its outcomes and criticisms?

Answer 4

• Set quotas to reduce farm production.
  
  • Controlled supply to increase prices gradually.
  • Modernized farming methods.
  • Provided assistance to farmers facing extreme hardship.
  • Increased farmers’ income from $4.5 billion to $6.9 billion.
  • Criticized for destroying food, unethical slaughter, and job losses.

Question 5

What was the purpose of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and what criticisms did it face?

Answer 5

• Addressed unemployment for young men during the Great Depression.
  
  • Participants engaged in environmental projects.
  • Assisted approximately 2.5 million young men.
  • Criticized for primarily focusing on white men.

Question 6

How did the Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) address financial struggles, and what were its outcomes?

Answer 6

• Took over mortgages to prevent repossessions.
  
  • Offered more favorable interest rates.
  • Rescued around 20% of American homeowners.
  • Over 80% of these rescued homeowners repaid HOLC mortgages.

Question 7

What was the purpose of the Public Works Administration (PWA), and how did it contribute to economic recovery?

Answer 7

• Addressed economic challenges by building schools, roads, dams, bridges, and airports.
  
  • Focused on ‘pump priming’ to stimulate economic growth.
  • Created short-term success with millions of jobs.
  • Contributed significantly to essential infrastructure.

Question 8

What was the purpose of the National Recovery Administration (NRA), and what measures did it take?

Answer 8

• Addressed the economic depression of 1933.
  
  • Improved working conditions, outlawed child labor, set fair wages.
  • Stimulated the economy by giving workers money.
  • Over 2 million employers joined the scheme.
  • Declared unlawful by the Supreme Court.

Question 9

What issues did the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) address, and what were its outcomes?

Answer 9

• Addressed issues around the Tennessee River, focusing on flood control.
  
  • Constructed 20 dams to control floods, facilitate farming, and bring electricity.
  • Effectively addressed the flood issue.
  • Created thousands of jobs, providing economic relief.