The Impact of the New Deal

Escapism During Depression, escapist entertainment was popular.

Birth of Comic Books

Eleanor Roosevelt Was the most politically active 1 st lady up to this time. Held women-only press conferences. Pressured FDR to hire women for important government positions.

New Deal Women FDR appointed more women to govt. positions than any prior President. Including the first women to hold a cabinet post--Francis Perkins (Sec. of Labor).

Also appointed the first female ambassadors, appeals court judges, director of the mint. Women, though, still faced discrimination in that many New Deal programs hired only a limited number of women and usually paid them less than men.

End of Prohibition 1933—FDR allows for beer and wine. “I think this would be a good time for a beer.” 21 st Amendment repealed 18 th and allowed for all kinds of booze (also 1933).

African Americans & The New Deal The New Deals record with African Americans was mixed. Eleanor Roosevelt was very committed to helping the cause of African Americans. FDR did appoint more blacks to govt. positions (usually secondary) than had any previous President. The most influential was Mary McLeod Bethune (part of “Black Cabinet”). New Deal programs provided work and relief for many African Americans. The African American community responded by generally switching their allegiance during this time from the Republican Party to the Democrats.

New Deals Failures with African Americans FDR failed to take a stand on Civil Rights issues. Did little to eliminate discrimination in the hiring of Blacks. Did nothing to end segregation in Govt. programs like the CCC or the armed forces. Would not push for a federal anti-lynching law because he did not want to alienate Southern Democrats. FDR generally favored a slow road towards equality.

New Deal and Native Americans Native Americans were the poorest people in the country. Many New Deal programs provided jobs and relief for Native Americans. Most Important things is the Indian Reorganization Act of 1934 (Reverses Dawes Act). –Prevents US from selling reservation land and gives Native Americans rights to form their own governments on reservations.

New Deal and Labor Wagner Act (1935)— guarantees the right of workers to join unions and bargain collectively.

New Deal and Labor Shift from Craft Unions to industry unions. John L. Lewis = Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) —”Sit Sown Strike” of GM in Michigan.

New Deal and the Depression Despite its efforts, the New Deal did not eliminate individual poverty or end the Depression. Depression lasted from Depression ended during WWII.

New Deal’s Political & Economic Legacy The New Deal ushered in the idea that the Federal Govt. had a responsibility to provide for the economic welfare of individuals (modern welfare state). Also that the Govt. was responsible for the health of the economy at large. This was the beginning of modern liberalism. Conservatism = no govt. interference in economy and no govt. responsibility for individual economic welfare. The “Broker State”—Fed. Govt. is to be arbitrator of competing interest groups.

New Deal Legacy Continued Economic issues become more important than cultural. Power of federal govt. (and President) goes up--state and local goes down. End of reform, move towards rights based.

Keynesian Economics The ideas of British economist John Maynard Keynes. The govt. could stimulate the economy through spending. The emphasis is on consumption. (Bottom up) Like priming a pump. But usually involves deficit spending — going into debt.

Supply Side Economics Keynesian economics goes against the conservative economic policy of supply side (trickle down). Supply Side advocates tax breaks for the rich so that they will invest and this will help the economy. Top down.

New Democratic Coalition Farmers in South and West Urban workers Most non-Protestants. Blacks and other minorities. Reformers and Progressive minded people.