The New Deal Flashcards
What was the Emergency Banking Act?
Confidence in American banks was extremely low so FDR temporarily closed all banks and only reopened honest banks. This helped restore confidence and faith in American banks
What was the Economy Act?
FDR cut all government employee’s wages by 15%, saving nearly $1 billion
What was the Beer Act?
Prohibition was ended, putting gangsters out of business and meant the government could raise money by taxing alcohol
How did the Alphabet Agencies help farmers?
The AAA paid farmers to produce less, which meant food prices rose and farmer’s incomes increased. This was criticised as food was being destroyed whilst millions of Americans were starving
How did the Alphabet Agencies help industries and workers?
The TVA provided work building dams and power stations in one of the poorest areas in America.
The NRA encourages workers and employers to sort out a code of fair conditions and pay as well as giving workers the right to a trade union. However, it was a voluntary scheme and many employers refused to join
How did the Alphabet Agencies help the unemployed?
The CCC created 2.5 million jobs for 18-25 year-olds in the countryside.
The CWA provided temporary jobs for 4 million people building schools, airports and roads.
The FERA gave $500 million to states to help the homeless
Why did some people oppose the New Deal?
FDR taxed the rich to pay for the New Deal and many business owners preferred laissez-faire. Some people believed Roosevelt was acting like a dictator
How effective was The New Deal?
The New Deal created jobs, however at least 1/10 was unemployed throughout the 30’s. The number of bank failures dropped dramatically and the GNP rose steadily from 1933-1941
How effective was The New Deal for workers?
Alphabet Agencies provided work and FDR introduced the Wagner Act which gave workers the right to join a trade union
How effective was The New Deal for farmers?
Farmer’s incomes increased loans were made available to save farmers form eviction, however most help went to large-scale farmers. There was still poverty in much of rural America
How effective was The New Deal for African-Americans?
The New Deal did not seek to end severe discrimination, however 200,000 African-Americans gained jobs in the CCC
How effective was The New Deal for Native Americans?
Government loans were provided for Native Americans to buy more land and farming equipment, however many still lived in great poverty and suffered discrimination
How effective was The New Deal for women?
Many women found work in the Alphabet Agencies, however still faced discrimination
What did unemployment rise to in 1938?
10.5 million
What is popular culture?
Popular Culture is the common ideas and behaviour of a country at a particular time in history
