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FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT AND THE NEW DEAL America: Past and Present Chapter 26
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The Great Depression 1920s optimism drives increase in expectations of a better way of life After 1929 despair sets in
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The Great Crash 1928--soaring stock prices attract individual, corporate investment 1929--stock market crashes – directly affects 3 million – credit crunch stifles business Businesses lay off workers Demand for consumer goods declines
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Unemployment, 1929-1942
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Effects of the Depression Hardship affects all classes The middle class loses belief in ever- increasing prosperity Thousands of young homeless, jobless
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Fighting the Depression Republican attempts to overcome catastrophe flounder Depression gives Democrats opportunity to regain power
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Hoover and Voluntarism Hoover initially seeks solution through voluntary action, private charity Eventually aids farmers and bankers Resists Democratic efforts to give direct aid to the unemployed – perceived as indifferent to human suffering – programs seen as incompetent
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Bank Failures, 1929-1933
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The Emergence of Roosevelt Franklin Roosevelt – born to wealth and privilege – 1921--crippled by polio – 1928--elected governor of New York – talented politician 1932--defeats Hoover with farmer- worker-immigrant-Catholic coalition
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The Hundred Days Banking system saved from collapse Fifteen major laws provide relief New Deal aims to reform and restore, not nationalize, the economy
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The Tennessee Valley Authority
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Roosevelt and Recovery National Recovery Administration – industries formulate codes to eliminate cut- throat competition, ensure labor peace – codes favor big business, unenforceable – 1935--NRA ruled unconstitutional Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1933 – farmers paid to take land out of cultivation – prices increase – sharecroppers, tenant farmers dispossessed
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Roosevelt and Relief 1933--Harry Hopkins placed in charge of RFC to direct aid to unemployed 1933--Civilian Conservation Corps provides employment to young people 1935--Works Progress Administration place unemployed on federal payroll Programs never sufficiently funded
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Roosevelt and Reform 1933-34--focus on immediate problems 1935--shift to permanent economic reform
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Challenges to FDR Father Charles Coughlin advocates nationalizing banks, anti-Semitism Francis Townsend calls for wealth redistribution from young to the elderly Huey Long calls for redistribution of wealth by seizing private fortunes
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Social Security 1935--Social Security Act passed Criticisms – too few people would collect pensions – unemployment package inadequate Establishes pattern of government aid to poor, aged, handicapped
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Labor Legislation 1935--Wagner Act – allows unions to organize – outlaws unfair labor practices 1938--Fair Labor Standard Act – maximum hour – minimum wage
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Impact of the New Deal Had a broad influence on the quality of life in the U.S. in the 1930s Helps labor unions most Helps women, minorities least
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Rise of Organized Labor 1932--National Recovery Act spurs union organizers Congress of Industrial Organization (CIO) formed by John L. Lewis CIO unionizes steel, auto industries 1940--CIO membership hits 5 million, 28% of labor force unionized
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The New Deal Record on Help to Minorities Crop reduction program allows whites to fire or evict blacks, Hispanics Public works programs help by providing employment New Deal figures convince minorities that the government is on their side 1934--Indian Reorganization Act gives American Indians greater control
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Women at Work Position of women deteriorates in ‘30s – jobs lost at a faster rate than men – hardly any New Deal programs help Progress in government – Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor, the first woman cabinet member – women appointed to several other posts – Eleanor Roosevelt a model for activism
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End of the New Deal 1936--New Deal peaks with Roosevelt’s reelection Congress resists programs after 1936
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The Election of 1936 FDR’s campaign – attacks the rich – promises further reforms – defeats Republican Alf Landon Democrats win lopsided majorities in both houses of Congress FDR coalition: South, cities, labor, ethnic groups, African Americans, poor
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The Supreme Court Fight Supreme Court blocks several of FDR’s first-term programs 1937--FDR seeks right to "pack" Court Congressional protest forces retreat FDR’s opponents emboldened
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The New Deal in Decline 1936--cutbacks for relief agencies 1937--severe slump hits economy Roosevelt blamed, resorts to huge government spending 1938--Republican party revives
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The New Deal and American Life New Deal’s limitations – depression not ended – economic system not fundamentally altered – little done for those without political clout Achievements – Social Security, the Wagner Act – political realignment of the 1930s
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