The New Deal (US History)

Crash Course: The New Deal (US History)

The New Deal: When America Got Creative (and a Little Desperate)

Opening Hook

Imagine a country in the midst of a Great Depression, with over 15 million people unemployed, and a GDP that's plummeted by 27%. That was the United States in 1933, and it was about to get a whole lot more interesting.

The Core Idea

The New Deal was a series of programs, projects, and policies implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to help the United States recover from the Great Depression. It was a massive experiment in government intervention, and it changed the course of American history.

Key Facts & Figures

Here are the key facts you need to know:

• 1929: The stock market crashes, marking the beginning of the Great Depression.
• 1932: Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President, promising a "New Deal" for the American people.
• March 1933: FDR takes office and delivers his first 100 Days address, outlining his plans for the New Deal.
• Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Created in 1933, the CCC employed over 3 million young men in conservation and infrastructure projects.
• Works Progress Administration (WPA): Launched in 1935, the WPA provided jobs for over 8 million Americans in construction, arts, and literacy programs.
• Social Security Act: Passed in 1935, this act provided financial assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed.
• Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Established in 1933, the FDIC insured bank deposits up to $2,500 (about $45,000 today).
• Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Created in 1933, the TVA developed a comprehensive plan for the Tennessee River valley, including hydroelectric power, flood control, and agricultural development.
• New Deal programs: Over 100 programs were created, including the National Recovery Administration (NRA), the Public Works Administration (PWA), and the Rural Electrification Administration (REA).
• Unemployment rates: From 1933 to 1936, unemployment rates dropped from 24.9% to 16.9%.
• GDP growth: The GDP grew by 10.8% in 1934, and by 8.8% in 1935.
• FDR's popularity: FDR's approval ratings soared to 83% in 1936, making him one of the most popular presidents in U.S. history.

Thought Bubble

Imagine you're a young man from rural Georgia, struggling to find work during the Great Depression. You're one of the millions of Americans who are out of a job, and you're starting to lose hope. But then, you hear about the CCC, and you sign up to work on a conservation project in the nearby national forest. You're paid $30 a month (about $500 today), and you get to work outdoors, building trails and planting trees. You're proud of what you're doing, and you're grateful for the chance to support your family. This is what the New Deal was all about: giving people a chance to work, to earn a living, and to rebuild their lives.

Why This Matters

The New Deal had a lasting impact on American society and politics. Here are a few reasons why:

• Government intervention: The New Deal showed that government intervention can be effective in times of crisis, and it paved the way for future social and economic programs.
• Social safety net: The New Deal created a social safety net that has been expanded and modified over the years, providing financial assistance to millions of Americans.
• Economic growth: The New Deal helped to stimulate economic growth, and it laid the foundation for the post-war economic boom.
• Civil rights: The New Deal helped to advance civil rights, particularly for African Americans, by creating jobs and opportunities in the South.
• Environmental protection: The New Deal led to the creation of the TVA, which became a model for environmental protection and conservation.
• FDR's legacy: FDR's leadership during the Great Depression cemented his place as one of the most important presidents in U.S. history.

Crash Course Recap

Here are the key takeaways:

• The New Deal was a series of programs, projects, and policies implemented by FDR to help the United States recover from the Great Depression.
• The New Deal created jobs for millions of Americans, including the CCC, WPA, and TVA.
• The New Deal established a social safety net, including Social Security and unemployment insurance.
• The New Deal helped to stimulate economic growth and laid the foundation for the post-war economic boom.
• The New Deal advanced civil rights, particularly for African Americans.
• The New Deal led to the creation of the TVA, which became a model for environmental protection and conservation.
• FDR's leadership during the Great Depression cemented his place as one of the most important presidents in U.S. history.
• The New Deal was a massive experiment in government intervention, and it changed the course of American history.
• The New Deal showed that government intervention can be effective in times of crisis.
• The New Deal created a social safety net that has been expanded and modified over the years.
• The New Deal helped to stimulate economic growth and laid the foundation for the post-war economic boom.
• The New Deal advanced civil rights, particularly for African Americans.
• The New Deal led to the creation of the TVA, which became a model for environmental protection and conservation.

Quiz Yourself

1. What was the name of the program that employed over 3 million young men in conservation and infrastructure projects? a) CCC b) WPA c) TVA d) NRA

Answer: a) CCC

1. What was the name of the act that provided financial assistance to the elderly, the disabled, and the unemployed? a) Social Security Act b) Civilian Conservation Corps Act c) Works Progress Administration Act d) Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation Act

Answer: a) Social Security Act

1. What was the name of the program that developed a comprehensive plan for the Tennessee River valley? a) Tennessee Valley Authority b) Civilian Conservation Corps c) Works Progress Administration d) National Recovery Administration

Answer: a) Tennessee Valley Authority

1. What was the name of the president who implemented the New Deal? a) Franklin D. Roosevelt b) Herbert Hoover c) Theodore Roosevelt d) Woodrow Wilson

Answer: a) Franklin D. Roosevelt

1. What was the approximate unemployment rate in the United States in 1933? a) 10% b) 20% c) 24.9% d) 30%

Answer: c) 24.9%