Notes 5.5: New Deal Successes & Failures

Notes 5.5:New Deal Successes & Failures Objective: SWBAT evaluate the successes and failures of the the New Deal. Main Question: To what extent was the New Deal successful in solving the problems of the Great Depression?

Critics of FDR • Famous critics of FDR were Huey Long and Father Charles Coughlin • Said FDR didn’t do enough to help the poor or elderly • Wanted FDR to tax the rich more • Wanted him to be tougher on banks and businesses

Critics of FDR • Others criticized FDR for raising taxes and spending too much money • The Supreme Court feared FDR was threatening the balance of power • The Court ruled that some New Deal programs were unconstitutional

Roosevelt’s Mistakes • Court-packing: • FDR trying to add judges to the court that were friendly to him • This worried Americans that FDR was like a dictator • Deficit: • FDR spent more money than they gov’t was making each year, got America into debt

Were FDR’s goals met? • Yes: • Relief programs worked • Many programs still here today (SS, FDIC) • Many roads & buildings created • No: • Still 10-15% unemployment in 1940 • Many ppl still lived in serious poverty

End of the New Deal • By 1938, FDR had made too many enemies • Ppl feared he was becoming dictator-like • He remained president, but Congress wouldn’t agree to his new laws

End of the Great Depression • Even though the New Deal was only partially successful, the Great Depression ended in 1941 • HOW??? • The US entered WWII • Suddenly, everyone had a job and the economy was working again!

Reflection • Main Question: To what extent was the New Deal successful in solving the problems of the Great Depression?

Reading Preview • Democrats today argue that the New Deal saved America from the depression. Even though FDR had to raise taxes to pay for the New Deal, Democrats believe that it was worth it. They support many New Deal concepts such as: • Gov’t jobs programs (PWA, TVA, WPA, CWA, CCC) • Minimum wage (NIRA) • Welfare (FERA) • Gov’t regulation of business and stock market (SEC)

Reading Preview • Republicans today argue that the New Deal was not truly a success. They argue that the government should not be as active in the economy • Republicans argue that if the gov’t is less involved in the economy, then the gov’t would be able to lower taxes, which means Americans will get to keep more of their paychecks

Vocabulary Preview

New Deal Program Review • Jobs programs were… • Welfare/Aid programs were… • Bank and stock market programs were… • Business regulation and worker protection programs were… • Farming programs were… • Summarize/define the New Deal.

Catalyst • Take Out: • YOUR Unit 5 NOTES • Use info from notes and word bank words to fill in the STORY OF THE GREAT DEPRESSION on the back side of the worksheet you picked up on the way in

Notes 5.5: New Deal Successes & Failures