FDR and the New Deal

1. FDR and the New Deal Relief from the Depression

2. Roosevelt Takes Charge • Rejection of “Do Nothing” Hoover leads to easy victory for Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) in 1932 election • Democratic President • Wanted to rebuild Americans’ hope for the future • FDR had a program to fight the Great Depression known as “The New Deal” • Focused on Relief, Recovery, and Reform in America • Involved creating many programs • The country was anxious for FDR to help bring change and had to wait from November to the Inauguration in March for FDR to lead • 20th amendment would change the Presidential inauguration to January • Ratified too late for election

3. The Hundred Days • FDR set out to change things immediately and the session of Congress lasting from March to June was known as the “Hundred Days” • Bring relief to the needy, recovery for agriculture and industry, and reform the economy • Three immediate steps taken by FDR: • Temporary closed all the banks • Promised that only banks in good financial shape would reopen • Started “Fireside Chats” • A series of radio talks in which FDR explained his polices in a warm, casual style. • “It is safer to keep your money in a reopened bank than under your mattress”

4. The Second New Deal • Despite some critics, most Americans supported the New Deal, so FDR would introduce a second “Deal” • Would focus on social reform • The Social Security Act– August 1935 • One of the most important bills in US history • Focused mostly on unemployment and retirement • Small amount paid by workers which was matched by employers into a fund • After retirement, workers receive monthly payments from fund • Also provided a small monthly payment for the unemployed • Also benefited the disabled and low-income families

5. Effects of the New Deal • The Federal government would take a much larger role in social reform instead of state and local governments • Expanded the Federal Government by creating many agencies • Increased the power of the President • FDR proposed more bills and programs than any other president • First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt would bring power to women • Fought for human rights, child welfare, and equal rights for women and minorities • One of the most influential women of the 20th century

6. New Deal Programs • CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) • Hired young men to work on conservation projects like planting trees • FDIC (Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation) • Protected money of depositors in insured banks • PWA (Public Works Administration) • Created jobs by having people build public works, such as highways and bridges • Deficit Spending • Using borrowed money to fund government programs • The economy would not recover until the US entered WWII

7. Fire Side Chat Assignment • DUE THURSDAY • Will be presented in class on Friday • Find a problem facing the U.S. • Develop a TWO minute speech that describes the problem in easy to understand terms and offers at least Two solutions to the problem. • Fire side chat • you are not talking to the class, but to millions through the radio. • Have speech written, and read from paper when presenting