New Deal Acts & Terms

The Three R’s

Relief, Recovery, and Reform

Bank Holiday

a “time out” to stop the run on banks instituted by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 to prevent bank failures for one week

Emergency Banking Relief Act

Legislation passed in 1933 that allowed the government to inspect and reopen solvent banks after the Bank Holiday, restoring public confidence in the banking system.

Glass-Steagall Banking Reform Act

Set up the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) - insured people’s money in the bank up to $5,000 (helped reduce fear of banks)

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

A public work relief program established in 1933 as part of the New Deal that employed young men to plant trees, build flood barriers, and maintain national parks, thus providing jobs and improving the environment.

The Federal Relief Administration (FERA)

Sought relief in the form of the dole (government hand-outs) Harry L. Hopkins was put in charge and handed out $3 billion dollars to states.

Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)

A key New Deal legislation from 1933 aimed at boosting agricultural prices by reducing surpluses, which involved paying farmers to cut back on production and offered low interest loans to farmers.

Home Owner’s Loan Corporation (HOLC)

refinanced people’s home loans at lower interest rates

Civil Works Administration

A short-term job creation program established in 1933 that provided jobs for unemployed workers during the Great Depression, focusing on public works projects.

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

created in part to silence criticizers, it was a New Deal agency that provided jobs for millions of unemployed Americans, focusing on large-scale public projects such as construction of roads, schools, and parks. Aimed to help curb unemployment and help improve the nation’s infrastructure.

National Recovery Administration (NRA)

A New Deal agency created to stimulate economic recovery by setting codes of “fair competition” meaning working hours were to be spread out to more people. Minimum work hours and Minimum wages were set up and labor unions given the right to unionize.

Public Works Administration (PWA)

(like the NRA) sought to build public works and infrastructure. Started 34,000 projects including the Grand Coulee Dam, the biggest human-built structure since the Great Wall of China.

Soil Conservation and Domestic Allotment Act

Paid farmers to plant crops that preserved and reinvigorate the soil, like soybeans

Second Agricultural Adjustment Act

Passed in 1938 Farmers were encouraged to plant less acreage in exchange for payments. Created due to the 1936 when the SC struck the AAA down.

Frazier-Lemke Farm Bankruptcy Act

Passed in 1934 and aimed to help farmers in financial distress by postponing mortgage foreclosures for 5 years. Was struck down the next year by the SC

Resettlement Administration

Established in 1935 to try and resettle farmers onto better soil

Indian Reorganization Act

Passed in 1934 called the “Indian New Deal” encouraged Indians to keep their traditional ways. It aimed to reverse previous policies of assimilation and promote self-governance and economic independence for Native Americans.

Federal Securities Act (aka “Truth in Security Act)

Enacted in 1933, it aimed to regulate the stock market and prevent fraud by requiring detailed disclosure of financial information to investors. Basically companies had to report honest financial numbers.

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

A federally owned corporation created in 1933 to provide navigation, flood control, electricity generation, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley region. Helped to provide jobs, help with housing, and provide cheat electricity.

Federal Housing Authority (FHA)

A government agency established in 1934 to improve housing standards and conditions, provide an adequate home financing system, and insure mortgages to stimulate the housing market. (Got people in homes and gave jobs building the homes)

Social Security Act

Enacted in 1935 that established a system of old-age benefits for workers, unemployment insurance, and aid to dependent mothers and children, the blind, and the disabled. Funded by taxes placed on workers and employers

Wagner Act (aka the National Labor Relations Act)

Passed in 1935, the Wagner Act protected the rights of workers to organize into unions and engage in collective bargaining. It established the National Labor Relations Board to oversee labor relations and address unfair labor practices.

Fair Labor Standards Act (aka Wages and Hours Bill)

Enacted in 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act established minimum wage, maximum working hours, and forbade children under 16 from working.