Question

Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal programs were designed to help the nation recover from the Great Depression, provide relief to those suffering and enact reforms in order to assure that an economic catastrophe like the Depression would not occur in the future. How successful were the New Deal programs in implementing these so-called “3 R’s”? Which of these goals do you think the New Deal was most successful in addressing? Finally, which of the major laws of the New Deal do you believe was most successful or most significant?

Answer 1

The New Deal was a series of programs by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, enacted for public work projects, financial reforms and regulations in the United States between 1933 and 1936 to cop up with Great Depression. The programs included Civilian Conservation Corps the Civil Works Administration, the Farm Security Administration, the National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933 and the Social Security Administration. These were designed to support farmers, the unemployed, youth and the elderly.

The programs focused on what "3 Rs" which means relief for the unemployed and poor, recovery of the economy back to normal levels and reform of the financial system to prevent a repeat depression and aimed to restore prosperity to Americans. As a result, Roosevelt’s New Deal fundamentally and permanently changed the federal government’s relationship to U.S. citizens. Problems of the Depression that the New Deal tried to solve are Sense of despair, Collapse of financial system, High unemployment and Shrinking economy.

Despite many actions, the economy did not respond as Roosevelt had hoped in expected way and the New Deal did not end the Depression, yet it was a success in restoring public confidence and creating new programs that brought relief to millions of Americans.

Success of New Deal programs in implementing these “3 R’s” is as follows:

·FDR did succeed in reducing unemployment. In 1937, unemployment had sunk from 14 million to 8 million - however, in 1938 it rose back to 10 million when government spending decreased. This rise didn't get any better until WW2 provided many new jobs.

• The many schemes offered jobs and financial support for millions of people who had been badly affected, and the government didn't just give them money. FDR helped his citizens earn money through public works so the workers got a paycheck and the country benefitted from many new bridges, schools roads and more!
• FDR also helped to restore confidence in the Banks and government. Americans felt supported by the government and FDR won many supporters for the Democratic Party - especially Women and African Americans who benefitted from the labour support.

Among the many goals, I think the New Deal was most successful in addressing relief for the Unemployment and poverty.

• The New Deal aimed to increase employment through public works projects (fiscal policy) when the government attempts to stimulate the economy by spending money.
• In order to address the issue of poverty, FDR introduced policies such as social security and unemployment benefits, which created a social safety net for people affected by the crisis.
• Roosevelt provided various programs to create jobs and provide relief to the American people. The Civilian Conservation Corps provided jobs to young, unemployed men. The Works Progress Administration and the Civil Works Administration provide construction jobs to people. It also provided work for unemployed artists, musicians, and writers. These programs were designed to get people working again. President Roosevelt believed that if people were working again, it would help the economy begin to develop and grow.
• The Civilian Conservation Corps helped young men get jobs. The CWA and PWA provided jobs to other unemployed Americans. The Wagner Act gave unions the right to exist. Farmers were paid not to grow crops with the AAA.

New Deal programs included both laws passed by Congress as well as presidential executive orders during the first term of the presidency of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Social Security Act of 1935 of the New Deal I believe was most successful or most significant due to the following reasons:

• The Social Security Act of 1935 was designed to combat widespread poverty among senior citizens and to aid the disabled. The act laid the groundwork for the modern welfare system in the United States, with its primary focus to provide aid for the elderly, the unemployed, and children.
• This is an act to provide for the general welfare by establishing a system of Federal old-age benefits, and by enabling the several States to make more adequate provision for aged persons, blind persons, dependent and crippled children, maternal and child welfare, public health, and the administration of their unemployment compensation laws; to establish a Social Security Board; to raise revenue; and for other purposes.
• In addition to keeping the elderly out of poverty by providing them with retirement income, Social Security was intended to withdraw older Americans from the work force to free up jobs for younger workers and ensure that buying power would remain strong in times of high unemployment.