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“Fireside Chats”
FDR’s informal radio broadcasts. He explained his plans and programs to the American people personally and made them feel as if they had a President who truly cared about them.
“Bank Holiday”
Shortly after taking office, FDR ordered all banks to be closed for four days until Congress could pass the Emergency Banking Act. All banks had to be examined as certified by the Treasury Department before they could reopen.
21st Amendment
Prohibition was repealed in 1933.
Henry Wallace
FDR’s Secretary of Agricultures.
Agriculture Adjustment Act (AAA)
The government would pay farmers subsidies to make up for the lost production. The Supreme Court struck down the AAA in 1936.
Rural Electrification Administration (REA)
Led by Hugh Johnson. Symbol was a blue eagle. Aimed at regulating industries. Ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court.
National Recovery Administration (NRA)
The government involved itself in regulating industries in order to stimulate economic recovery.
Tennessee Valley Authority
The government took over development of the Tennessee Rover watershed, building many dams and canals, solving the flooding problems, and producing cheap electricity that was sold to the public.
Gold Standard - 1933
FDR took the country off the gold standards so that the government could manipulate the value of the currency.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
The government personally guaranteed the security of all bank deposits up to $2,500. Now the limit is $250,000.
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
The government set itself up to police the stock market.
Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA)
Gave cash grants to states to fund bankrupt local relief agencies. Led by Harry Hopkins.
Civil Works Administration (CWA)
Its basic principle was to allow people to work for the money the government was giving to them.
Keynesian Economics
Lord Keynes. The philosophy that government spending is needed to stimulate a sluggish economy.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Provided over 500,000 young men with jobs on various conservation and environmental projects.
American Liberty League
A group formed wealthy opponents of FDR, who were being hurt by his socialistic and “dictatorial” policies.
Dr. Francis E. Townshend
Aroused a popular following with his plan for federal pensions for the elderly. All American over age 60 should retires so that the younger unemployed could have their jobs. Those who retired would receive a government pension of $200 per month. They should spend this entire pension in order to keep the economoy “lubricated.”
Father Coughlin
A priest from Royal Oak, Michigan. Broadcasted weekly radio sermons advocating various monetary reform. Founded the National Union for Social Justice.
Huey Long
Louisiana governor and late senator. Forceful, flamboyant. Pushed a Share-Our-Wealth Plan. Assassinated in 1936.
National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) 1935
Force employers to bargain with legitimate unions.
Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)
Rival to the AFL. Founded by John L. Lewis. Organized all workers in an industrial unionism.
United Auto Workers
Their use of the “sit-down-strike” in 1936 forced General Motors to recognize them, but this tactic was unpopular with the public and eventually abandoned.
Social Security Act - 1935
An important price of social welfare legislation in American history. Provided financial help for the elderly and retired, to the disabled and unemployed, and to dependent children.
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Directed by Harry Hopkins. More extension version of CWA. Same underlying principle.
Alfred M. Landon
Kansas governor. Republican candidate for President in 1936. FDR buried him.
“Court-packing Plan”
This Supreme Court had given FDR’s programs much opposition during his first term. FDR appointed justices who would support his policies.
Recession of 1937
The worst economic crisis since 1932 seemed to result from FDR’s decision to cut spending.
Broker State
One effect of the New Deal was to elevate new interest groups and to regulate competition among all of the various economic groups.
Indian Reorganization Act
Commissioner of Indian Affairs, John Collier, had legislation passed that enabled Indians to preserve trival identities and resist being assimilated into white society.
Cultural Relativism
The philosophy that every culture is equally valid and important and should be replaced on its own merits.
Frances Perkins
Secretary of Labor. First female Cabinet member.
Economic Impact of the New Deal
It worked to protect various groups from suffering. It helped prevent further decay of the economy. It put the government in the driver’s seat of the economy. It began the creation of the current welfare state.
Political Impact of the New Deal
The federal government established its sovereignty over state and local governments. The President became the central figure of authority. The federal government established its sovereignty over state and local governments. The President became the central figure of authority. National economic issues became more important to people. People began to expect more from their government.
