The new deal flashcards
What were the aims of Roosevelt’s New Deal?
- Get Americans back to work.
- Protect savings and property.
- Provide relief for sick, old and unemployed.
- Get U.S. industry and agriculture back on its feet.
What was the first issue Roosevelt tackled?
The banking crisis and the loss of confidence in banks
When did Roosevelt order all of the banks to close?
The day after his inauguration (5 March 1933)
What was the name of the policy to tackle the banking crisis?
Emergency Banking Act
What happened while the banks were closed for four days?
The banks were checked by government officials.
What happened to the banks on 9 March 1933?
5,000 trustworthy banks were opened, supported by government money if necessary.
What was the name of the agency set up to help the urgent needs of the poor?
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration
How much did FERA spend on helping the poor?
$500 million
What did FERA provide for the poor?
Soup kitchens, blankets, employment schemes and nursery schools
What did the CCC stand for?
Civilian Conservation Corps
What did the CCC do?
Provided work for unemployed young men on environmental projects
What kind of work did the CCC do?
Strengthening river banks, fighting forest fires, controlling mosquitoes to prevent malaria, etc.
How long could men sign on to the CCC for?
6 months, but could renew if still had no job
How many people did the CCC provide jobs for?
2.5 million
What was a major criticism of the CCC?
It paid very low wages
What agency was set up to help farmers?
The Agricultural Adjustment Administration
How did the AAA help farmers?
- Set quotas to reduce farm production and force prices upwards.
- Government destroyed surplus produce and gave farmers compensation for lost production.
- Helped farmers modernise and use methods that would protect the soil.
- Helped some farmers pay their mortgages.
What problem did the AAA create?
Farm modernisation (e.g. more advanced machinery machinery) put more farm workers out of work.
Which two organisations were set up by the National Industrial Recovery Act?
- Public Works Administration
2. National Recovery Administration
What did the PWA do?
Used government money to build schools, roads, dams, bridges and airports.
What did the NRA do?
Improved working conditions in industry (e.g. outlawing child labour, set fair wages). Businesses could choose to join.
How did businesses show they had signed up to the NRA?
They could use the blue eagle as a symbol of presidential approval.
How many employers joined the NRA?
Over 2 million
How did the Home Owners Loan Corporation help Americans?
Took over the mortgages of middle-income Americans who were struggling to pay mortgages, so banks didn’t repossess their homes
How many Americans were helped by the Home Owners Loan Corporation?
HOLC took over 1 million mortgages at better interest rates than banks (people were paying less interest on their loans).
1933-36: 20% of homeowners were “rescued” by HOLC.
Why was the Tennessee Valley Authority created?
Tennessee Valley flooded during wet season, and farming land turned into a dust bowl during dry season. TVA set up to combat these problems.
What was the main work of the TVA?
Built dams on the Tennessee River; irrigated dried-out land; provided electricity and jobs for the area.
What were Roosevelt’s “fireside chats”?
Radio broadcasts where Roosevelt would explain to the nation what he was doing and why.
When and how often were Roosevelt’s “fireside chats”?
Every Sunday.
How many Americans tuned into Roosevelt’s “fireside chats”?
60 million
