FDR and The New Deal

2 The “Old Deal” What? President Hoover’s reaction to the Great Depression President Herbert Hoover

3 The “Old Deal” What did he want to do? Refused to create government programs until it was too late Let the business cycle take care of things Children in one of the Bonus Army Camps

4 The Bonus Army ,000 WWI veterans Who? Marched to Washington D.C. to get a $ bonus they were supposed to get in 1945 What?

5 The Bonus Army 1932 Called out the troops and dispersed the army What did Hoover do?

6 The Election of 1932 Roosevelt offers a “New Deal” for America Roosevelt wins with 60% of the vote What?

7 FDR’s campaign song: “Happy days are here again, The skies above are clear again Let us sing a song of cheer again Happy days are here again.”

8 Roosevelt’s New Deal What? Programs meant to help the country by getting the government involved in the economy 1. Relief - help people out in the short term 2. Recovery - get the economy back on its feet 3. Reform - keep this from everyhappening again Meant to do 3 things

9 Bank Holiday - First Step Why? Many banks had failed, wiping out families’ savings People lost confidence in the banks Depositors Congregate Outside Closed Bank

10 Next Step - “Alphabet Soup” In the first 100 days of his administration Roosevelt passes tons of legislation Hundred Days The agencies he creates (like AAA, CCC, TVA, FERA, FDIC) Alphabet Soup

11 Next Step - “Alphabet Soup” Insurance for the $ you put in banks FDIC - Federal Depositors Insurance Corp. Protected people’s savings Bank Employee Checks Depositor's Account

12 His Greatest Mistake Packing the Supreme Court What? Why? Increase the # of Supreme Court justices from 9 to 15 Kept declaring his programs unconstitutional (including NRA, AAA, SEC, etc.)

13 His Greatest Mistake Packing the Supreme Court Results? Public grew angry (FDR taking too much power) FDR passed much less legislation after this Supreme Court Exterior

14 Other Critics Demagogues – leaders who manipulate people with half truths. Father Charles Coughlin Radio Priest – radio show reaching 10 million Originally supported FDR and New Deal National Union for Social Justice Called FDR “Franklin “Double Crossing” Roosevelt and a “betrayer and liar” Coughlins ideas were reckless 1942 ordered by Catholic Church to stop broadcasting show.

15 More Critics Huey Long US Senator from Louisiana “Redistribution of Wealth” Only could make up to 1 million dollars The rest would be collected by government and “redistributed” to give every American family a minimum “household estate” of $5000 dollars and minimum income of $2500 dollars. Also called for: Shorter working hours, more vet benefits, education payments and pensions for elderly. Dr. Francis Townsend Wanted more done for older Americans in the New Deal. Americans specifically 60 and over (pension plans)

16 A Political Partnership Franklin Roosevelt Appealing blend of cheerfulness, optimism, and confidence An effective communicator (ex. fireside chats) A reform-minded Democrat Believed the government could solve economic and social problems Eleanor Roosevelt “Eyes and ears” of her husband Directed efforts to solve several major social issues (ex. lynching of African Americans) Wrote her own newspaper column Had the trust and affection of many Americans

17 Eleanor Roosevelt The Marines I have seen around the world have the cleanest bodies, the filthiest minds, the highest morale, and the lowest morals of any group of animals I have ever seen. Thank God for the United States Marine Corps! Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady of the United States, 1945

18 The New Deal - Pros and Cons Pros Restored optimism and hope to Americans Cons Did not really fix the depression Left the nation with much debt Provided necessary relief to many Left people too dependent on government (?)

19 Questions: Why was FDR's administration labeled the "New Deal?" What were its three goals? What sort of relationship did President Roosevelt develop with the press and the public? What role did the radio play in Depression-era America? What role did Mrs. Roosevelt play in her husband's administration? Why did FDR engage in a series of "Fireside Chats" with the American people?