What was the new deal about
The New Deal was a series of programs, policies, and projects implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s. The New Deal was designed to help the United States recover from the economic crisis, provide relief to those affected, and reform the financial system to prevent similar crises in the future.
The New Deal was a comprehensive package of measures that addressed various aspects of American society, including:
- Economic Relief: Programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Works Progress Administration (WPA), and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) provided jobs, food, and shelter to millions of Americans.
- Job Creation: The New Deal created millions of jobs through infrastructure projects, such as building roads, bridges, and public buildings, as well as through programs like the Public Works Administration (PWA) and the Civil Works Administration (CWA).
- Financial Reform: The New Deal introduced reforms to the financial system, including the creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to regulate the stock market, and the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated commercial and investment banking.
- Social Security: The New Deal established the Social Security system, which provided a safety net for the elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed.
- Agricultural Support: The New Deal introduced programs to support American farmers, such as the Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) and the Soil Conservation Service (SCS).
- Housing and Urban Development: The New Deal created programs to provide affordable housing, such as the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the United States Housing Authority (USHA).
- Labor Rights: The New Deal introduced labor reforms, such as the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), which established minimum wages, maximum hours, and collective bargaining rights for workers.
- Infrastructure Development: The New Deal invested in infrastructure development, including the construction of airports, highways, and public buildings.
Some of the most notable New Deal programs and policies include:
- The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), a federal agency that developed the Tennessee River valley and provided affordable electricity to the region.
- The National Recovery Administration (NRA), which established codes of fair competition and set minimum wages and working conditions for industries.
- The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), which insured bank deposits and restored confidence in the banking system.
- The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA), which protected the right of workers to form unions and engage in collective bargaining.
The New Deal had a significant impact on American society, helping to:
- Reduce unemployment from 25% to 10% by 1937
- Increase industrial production by 50%
- Provide relief to millions of Americans
- Establish a social safety net
- Reform the financial system
- Promote infrastructure development
Overall, the New Deal was a comprehensive and ambitious program that helped the United States recover from the Great Depression and laid the foundation for the country's economic growth and prosperity in the decades that followed.