The Second New Deal Flashcards
How did Roosevelt help the elderly, unemployed, the sick, and disabled?
Europe by the 1930s had social security, the US had hoover.
In 1935 Roosevelt introduced the Social Security Act, which gave pensions to everyone over 65, different from American ideals.
Also including handicapped people and mothers with small children how are dependent on them.
As well as unemployment insurance to be proposed and provided by each state.
What was the purpose of the Works Progress Administration (WPA)?
WPA in 1935 was to create jobs for 2 million people per year.
Built roads, public buildings, schools, tunnels, and sewers
Create a windbreak of trees 1600 km long to prevent the effects of the dust bowl, stopping further soil loss. 7% of the budget was used to create projects for artists, writers, actors, and musicians. The NYA (National Youth Administration) was WPA for younger people.
How did Roosevelt protect trade unions?
Senator Robert Wagner introduced an Act to support workers who wanted to form a union. The Act was called the Wagner Act and it was administered in 1935. This prevented employers from firing workers who were union members. After some time Trade unions then started gaining more power and employers had to listen to them.
Describe the work of the Resettlement Administration (RA) and the Farm Security Administration (FSA).
1935 after failure the Resettlement Administration helping sharecroppers, tenants, or farm workers was set up.
The RA aimed to move 500,000 families to better land and resettle them into new homes.
1937 RA replaced by Farm Security Administration (FSA) gave out loans to sharecroppers and tenant farmers to buy their own land.
The FSA also set up labor camps which helped migrant farmworkers to live in better conditions.
Why did unemployment persist
Countries overseas were also suffering from depression and high levels of unemployment
Tariffs in Europe and Japan became normalized.
Business cycle and the natural inflation, and recessions, did well in 1933-1937
Unpredictable prices, especially in agriculture, leading to unpredictable employment.
Improved methods of production, no need for manual labor.
Attempt to save agriculture, paying farmers to reduce production, meaning they need less labor. However, there was no alternative.
New Deal didn’t have all of the power, the congress held them back. Roosevelt was trying to provide solutions to the problems of the depression instead of the depression itself.
Alphabet agencies were temporary.
He used taxes, so taking money just to give it to them again.
Roosevelt was conservative when it came to economics and believed it was better to have a tight hold on money.
How far did the character of the New Deal change?
The Social Security Act, 1935:
FERA: Similar but focused more on relief like soup kitchens. More emergency relief.
TVA: Similar but focused more on recovery and helping with education, infrastructure, and healthcare.
Focused on helping those that couldn’t help themselves. Like the old, sick, and unemployed. Long-lasting. FERA focused on getting a job rather than creating insurance for when you don’t.
Helped people that were excluded in the first New Deal. Focused on poorer farmers, sharecroppers, and tenants, migrant workers. Three organizations, CCC, CWA, PWA into WPA. SSA helped people like the sick, handicapped, elderly, and single mothers. All workers in all companies had rights, Wagner Act before it was voluntary.
