Putting It Together: Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal

This massive transformation of politics, government, and humanitarianism in the country began with the Election of 1932 and President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s mission to implement relief, recovery, and reform of the American economy and workforce. FDR acted swiftly upon entering office to restore and improve the economy, working tirelessly to win back the public’s confidence and inspire Congress to action. His ideas and plans were communicated to countless Americans through his inauguration speech and Fireside Chats, instilling hope for the hopeless.

Roosevelt’s reform began immediately with the Emergency Banking Act, and he established his plans for the First Hundred Days, in which he:

  • Repealed Prohibition (the 21st amendment)
  • Created the Tennessee Valley Authority and countless jobs in rural areas
  • Instructed farmers to decrease surplus production through the Agricultural Adjustment Act
  • Created the NIRA to unionize workers and guarantee their rights

In those First Hundred Days, many more bills passed by Congress had won over a majority of the American people’s confidence. Despite this quick and deliberate plan, the economy was still suffering, and the environmental effects of the Dust Bowl persisted.

Thus began the Second New Deal, an even more robust set of government programs. For example, the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided government or public jobs within libraries, construction, the arts, national parks, and schools. The Social Security Act provided a safety net in pensions to Americans and allowed the government to provide assistance and insurance to the unemployed and dependents. Throughout the implementation of the Second New Deal, FDR also begins to seek out re-election for his second term in office.

The New Deal and FDR’s presidency profoundly impacted American politics and government. The program and policies implemented led to more women, African Americans, and minority groups entering the workforce and becoming active voters. Notably, some fragments of the New Deal are still in place today, like Social Security. These programs have transformed the extent to which the government intervenes in humanitarian issues today.

Want to test your expertise of FDR and the New Deal? Try answering the critical thinking questions at the end of the section! Be sure to use evidence/examples from the module.

Critical Thinking Questions

  1. To what extent was Franklin Roosevelt’s overwhelming victory in the 1932 presidential election a reflection of his own ideas for change? To what extent did it represent public discontent with Herbert Hoover’s lack of answers?
  2. Whom did the New Deal help the least? What hardships did these individuals continue to suffer? Why were Roosevelt’s programs unsuccessful in alleviating their adversities?
  3. Was Franklin Roosevelt successful at combatting the Great Depression? How did the New Deal affect future generations of Americans?
  4. What were the key differences between the First New Deal and the Second New Deal? On the whole, what did each New Deal set out to accomplish?
  5. What challenges did Roosevelt face in his work on behalf of African Americans? What impact did the New Deal ultimately have on race relations?