1. Legacy of the Great Depression & New Deal
A New and Different America

2. Effects of the New Deal and their lasting impact

3. With the New Deal, FDR broke from the tradition of American laissez-faire and greatly expanded the role of government.
Restored trust in the banks and the stock market (SEC, FDIC)
Increased homeownership (FHA, HOLC)
Protected workers (FLSA, Wagner Act)
Helped modernize rural America(TVA, REA, PWA)
New Deal measures stabilized the free-market and encouraged the post-World War II economic boom. 3

4. Thousands of PWA and WPA projects benefited communities—and local economies—across the country. The WPA and FAP also established a gov’t interest in the arts. 4

5. At the same time, in a major policy change, the New Deal established the principle that the federal gov’t was responsible for the welfare of all Americans.
This was shown through both indirect (CCC, WPA) and direct (SS, FERA) relief. The concept would be maintained and expanded (ex: Medicare) over the rest of the 20th century and into the 21st century 5

6. The government established 12 million acres of new national parks.
FDR also favored federal action to protect the environment, which was an extension of the policies of T. Roosevelt
The government established 12 million acres of new national parks.
The CCC restored forests and preserved the environment.
Some New Deal projects like the TVA had a mixed environmental impact, disrupting natural habitats. Setting up a long standing balance between gov’t resource project and environmental concerns 6

7. FDR and the New Deal also changed the nature of the presidency itself.7

8. The Great Economic Debate~ While economic theory had been debated before, the New Deal prompted a mainstream political debate about the role of government in economics which is still central to the platforms of our political parties

9. Social Effects of the Depression and Their Lasting Impact

10. Hunger becomes a widespread social issue
Hunger becomes a widespread social issue. Especially hard-hitting for parents struggling to feed their children.
For many, the only food available came from public soup kitchens or bread lines run by charitable organizations.
Long term effects~ Emotional distance between children and parents, obsession with not wasting food 10

11. Fueled by unemployment, homelessness was widespread with people losing their ability to pay rent or losing their farms/homes to the banks.
Many lived in empty railroad cars, in cardboard boxes, or in shacks built on public land or in empty lots. These homeless villages were called Hoovervilles.
Long term effects~ Housing shelters, hatred of banks, abandonment of children or families (men) 11

12. Bankers sold the land and equipment at auction
Bankers sold the land and equipment at auction. Some farmers became tenant farmers or sharecroppers, working for bigger landowners and becoming a part of the generational poverty cycle
Between 1930 and 1934, nearly a million farmers lost their farms, homes, and farm equipment because they could not pay their mortgages. 12

13. Minorities suffered even more during the depression.
Even in good times, African Americans were “last hired and first fired.”
Many New Deal programs seemed to be innately prejudice against AA.
CCC, AAA, SS
Racism and violence against African Americans was widespread, especially in the South
As Okies moved west to find work, Mexicans and Mexican Americans faced fierce competition for jobs.
Prejudice became much more public and prominent
Mexican repatriation program
This establishes stereotypical social power structure of white poor often being the most racially prejudice and abusive. (scapegoating)

14. Family life was often hurt by the Great Depression, for even those families with homes and some income. This causes many long-term effects and especially impacted women.
Those who still had jobs lived in fear that their next paycheck would be their last. People hoarded supplies, money, food in fear/ paranoia.
Many mothers’ emotional response to the stress and fear was to detach emotionally from their children.
America’s birthrate fell to its lowest level on record. This permanently established a smaller family structure standard
Many husbands/fathers abandoned their families and never returned, creating widespread single parent families for the first time.

15. On the flip side, many responded very positively to the conditions of the Great Depression
Many families became closer and bonded through their struggle. Sibling relationships especially flourished.
While competitions brought out the worst in some, many came together to help their neighbors. Very different people were able to connect through struggle
Frugality, environmental awareness, and waste recognition were all positive legacies of era
Resiliency became synonymous with the American spirit, this was especially shown through response to the coming WWII