Great Depression / New Deal (DOCUMENTS)

Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address (1933)

Following his election amid widespread economic crisis, this president addressed the nation with a call to overcome fear and embrace bold government action. He promised broad executive power to combat the emergency, laying the ideological foundation for a series of reforms aimed at restoring the economy and reshaping the balance of power between the national government and the states.

Indian Reorganization Act (1934)

This federal law sought to reverse previous assimilation policies imposed on Native Americans. It aimed to empower tribal communities by restoring self‑governance over their lands and resources, while providing an economic foundation for Native peoples. The act allowed tribes to vote on its application and marked a shift away from policies that forced the abandonment of traditional cultures.

Social Security Act (1935)

In response to the profound economic hardships of the Great Depression, this legislation created a comprehensive social insurance system. It introduced programs to provide unemployment compensation, welfare support for vulnerable populations, and a federal old‑age pension system financed through employer and employee contributions—ushering in a new era of federal responsibility for social welfare.

1

1