Roosevelt and the First New Deal, 1933-35 (T2) Flashcards
What was the importance of the first 100 days of Roosevelt’s presidency?
Set up the New Deal
What was set up in the first 100 days?
- A lot of emergency legislation and the setting up of Alphabet Agencies.
- Aimes at ‘recovery, relief, reform’ of the American economy.
What were Roosevelt’s ‘fireside chats’?
- He spoke on the radio in a language the American public could understand.
- He explained their crisis and how they could support the country.
What was the impact of Roosevelt’s ‘fireside chats’?
Helped restore confidence in banks and economy.
What was Roosevelt’s aim of the First New Deal?
To save capitalism.
How was there industrial recovery?
Economy grew by 10% a year 1933-36.
What was the unemployment rate?
Unemployment still at 14%.
What was the aim of alphabet agencies?
To help American people by creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
What pressure did Roosevelt get from the right?
Pressure from the right for Federal Government to remain laissez-faire.
What pressure did Roosevelt get from the left?
Pressure from the left to intervene much more and give direct government relief.
What was Roosevelt’s Brain Trust?
A group of close advisers to a political candidate, often academics who were prized for their expertise in particular fields.
Who did the Brain Trust consist of?
Consisted of a group of Columbia Law Professors: Moley, Tugwell and Berle.
What was the role of these men in Roosevelt’s Brain Trust?
Key role in shaping the policies of the First New Deal (1933).
Who was Harold Ickes?
Became a follower of FDR after being impressed by his progressive policies as governor of NY.
What did Roosevelt do with Ickes in 1933?
Appointed him as his Secretary of the Interior
What did Ickes job involve?
Running the PWA and over the next 6 years spent more than $5 billion on various large-scale projects.
What was Ickes a strong supporter of?
Civil Rights.
Who did Ickes work with to support civil rights?
Worked closely with Walter Francis White of the NAACP to establish quotas for African American workers in PWA projects.
Who was Rexford Tugwell?
Distrusted business and placed his confidence in government planners who would administer the economy.
Where was Tugwell appointed?
As assistant secretary to the Agriculture Department.
What would Roosevelt consult Tugwell on?
About many aspects of the New Deal and helped to plan the Agricultural Adjustment Act.
Who was Adolf Berle?
- He was a child prodigy who went to Harvard University at the age of 14 to study History.
- He was a qualified lawyer by age 21.
What did Berle advise Roosevelt on?
Homeland Security
What beliefs did Berle hold?
- He was an isolationist and an American liberal.
- He championed the cause of the poor, worked to help American Indians, and attempted to build links with the Latin American republics.
