Chapter 12 – Relief and the Second New Deal Many of FDR’s relief programs were designed to give people jobs and get them to spend money again (creating more jobs) Many of these programs were PUBLIC WORKS PROJECTS – projects like roads, dams, bridges etc.. Were built and the unemployed got jobs building them. One program gave money directly to those who really needed it.

FERA FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Administration) This agency gave money to states and local agencies to give “relief” to citizens. This program didn’t create jobs – it just helped people eat and keep a roof over their heads.

The CCC This was FDR’s favorite program Young single men, ages were hired to plant trees, fight forest fires, and build dams They were paid $1.00 a day and given clothing, room and board, and even tutoring to learn to read and write. 24$ of their 30$ salary was sent home to families and the jobs lasted for one year.

PWA and CWA PWA (public Works Administration) was started in 1933 to give people jobs building dams and highways etc… BY fall of 1933, the CWA was started (Civil Works Administration) This was similar to the PWA but hired more people and built more things 4 million people were hired and one billion was spent in just 5 months.

How Successful were these programs? All these programs are considered part of the first “New deal” These programs didn’t fix the depression but they created jobs, safe banks, and fewer people lost their homes and farms. Most of all these programs gave people the feeling that the government was TRYING to help them.

The Second New Deal By 1935, the depression was still not over, and some early programs were being criticized. FDR started several new programs in 1935 –this known as the Second New Deal

The WPA The WPA (Works Progress Administration) replaced the PWA and CWA and was much larger and more expensive. The WPA spent 11 billion in six years and 8.5 million people were employed by it The workers built bridges etc.. The WPA hired writers and artists to give concerts, paint murals, write about the depression and take pictures.

The Wagner Act Also known as the National Labor relations Act. This act guaranteed workers the right to form unions and have collective bargaining. The NLRB (National labor relations board) was set up to listen to and investigate workers grievances

Social Security The major goal of Social security was to provide some financial security for older people and the unemployed. The money for Social security came from payroll taxes (employees and employers pay). Who could collect SS payments? Retired people 65 and older, the unemployed, and some disabled groups (blind, unable to walk)

Critics of the New Deal Some people said the New Deal spent too much $$ and gave the federal govt too much power. Some people said the New Deal wasn’t doing enough to help the jobless and hungry. –The Supreme Court ruled that some New Deal programs were unconstitutional (AAA and NRA)