How was the Second New Deal different from the First?

Learning objective – to examine the effectiveness of and the changes introduced by the Second New Deal after I can describe some of the changes the Second New Deal introduced after Grade D I can explain how effective the Second New Deal was after Grade B I can explain and analyse the effectiveness of the Second New Deal after Grade A/A*

Starter – How many out of the 48 states did NOT vote for Roosevelt in the 1936 Presidential Election?

2 out of the 48 states did NOT vote for Roosevelt in the 1936 Presidential Election.

Why did Roosevelt introduce Second New Deal? American society is still unfair. We have increased our majority in the Midterm Congress elections in The Second New Deal aims to bring in reform. We need to push change and confront our opponents.

What Alphabet Agencies were introduced in the Second New Deal? Works Progress Administration [WPA] was responsible not only for public works projects but also adult education programmes and workshops. Resettlement Administration [RA] took on the task of building communities for the homeless in the countryside. The National Labour Relations Act [NLRA] allowed workers to have proper representation with trade unions and the right to strike action. The Social Security Act [NLRA] established pensions and sick and unemployment pay.

How did Roosevelt try to tackle opposition from the Supreme Court? The Supreme Court was becoming increasingly difficult with the changes introduced by the New Deal. In 1935, it blocked the NRA and in 1936, it stopped the AAA – both were declared unconstitutional. Roosevelt, having confidence from an increased majority in the 1936 Presidential Election, decided to confront the power of the Supreme Court by trying to ‘pack’ the Supreme Court with judges who would be sympathetic to the New Deal. Roosevelt argued that the current judges were too old to cope with the increased workload and more judges were needed.

What was the reaction towards Roosevelt trying to ‘pack’ the Supreme Court? Roosevelt’s plan to ‘pack’ the Supreme Court was very unpopular. Even his Vice-President advised against it. Roosevelt tried to win support through a fireside chat and that failed as his opponents argued that he was trying to take more powers as President and become dictatorial. Ironically, Roosevelt did not need to ‘pack’ the Supreme Court, deaths and retirements allowed Roosevelt appoint more sympathetic judges. However, the Supreme Court got the message and they never again tried to block a New Deal proposal.

How far did the Second New Deal successfully deal with the Dust Bowl? Conditions in the Dust Bowl worsened over 1935 and 1936, with Black Blizzards and floods and the number of migrant workers increased. The Farm Security Administration [FSA] set up more permanent camps and food for them as well as sought work for them. More support was given through the Soil Conservation Agency [SCA] which aimed to educate farmers in alternative farming techniques, such as crop rotation. The Federal Housing Administration [FHA] aimed to clear slums and build homes for low income families.

How far did the Second New Deal help African Americans? Increased poverty for the white population in the Great Depression brought an increased awareness on the plight of the African American, who had suffered such poverty long before the Great Depression. America’s First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt campaigned tirelessly that the New Deal should apply to all regardless of race. A key development was the creation of the Bureau for Negro Affairs in 1935 led by Mary McLeod Bethune which helped many young African Americans gain a college education. Although the New Deal brought greater employment opportunities for 3 million African Americans [20% of the total black labour force, discrimination and segregation remained, especially in the Old South.

Copy and complete the table into your exercise book. Successes of the New Deal after 1935 Failures of the New Deal after 1935 Dealing with the Dust Bowl Dealing with the Supreme Court Provision of relief Dealing with inequality

Task This comic strip helps you gain an overview of the different areas of success and failure of the Second New Deal after Stick a copy of this comic strip into your books and annotate it with facts that you have learned about the Second New Deal.

Plenary – a touch of Scrabble What are the three key words from this lesson that sums up your learning? Which word has the highest value if you used in a game of Scrabble? Compare with the person next to you. Which word has the highest value?