New Deal Programs

Agricultural Adjustment Act (First & Second)

(1933) Reduced agricultural production by paying farmers subsidies to not plant crops and to kill excess livestock, aiming to reduce surplus and raise prices

Civilian Conservation Corps

(1933) Provided unskilled jobs focused on conservation and natural resource development, mainly employing young men

Civil Works Administration

(1933) Created rapid, short-term jobs through infrastructure projects like building and improving roads, schools, and bridges

Drought Relief Service

(1935) Coordinated federal relief efforts in response to the Dust Bowl

Emergency Banking Act

(1933) Stabilized the banking system by temporarily closing banks until they were financially secure, preventing mass withdrawals and collapse

Federal Aviation Administration

(1933) Regulated and oversaw all aspects of American civilian aviation

Farm Credit Administration

(1933) Regulated and supervised banks and institutions within the Farm Credit System to support farmers financially

Federal Communications Commission

(1934) Regulated interstate communications by radio, television, wire, satellite, and cable across the U.S.

Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation

(1933) Provided deposit insurance (initially up to $5,000) to protect bank deposits and restore trust in banks under the Glass-Steagall Act

Federal Emergency Relief Administration

(1933) Provided immediate relief to the unemployed rather than long-term recovery programs, led by Harry Hopkins

Federal Housing Administration

(1934) Provided loans to homeowners for home improvements and construction to support housing recovery

Fair Labor Standards Act

(1938) Established minimum wage, maximum work hours (40-hour week), and banned most child labor; did not effectively help women and Black workers

Farm Security Administration

(1935) Gave loans to small farmers and tenants to help them rehabilitate and purchase farms

Federal Works Agency

(1939) Oversaw public construction, maintenance, and relief projects to create jobs and provide loans/grants for public works

Home Owners' Loan Corporation

(1933) Refinanced home mortgages at risk of foreclosure after the housing collapse

National Industrial Recovery Act

(1933) Allowed the president to regulate industry to raise prices, reduce competition, and stimulate economic recovery

National Recovery Administration

(1933) Created industry-wide codes of fair practices to reduce competition, set wages/prices, and improve labor conditions

National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act)

(1935) Guaranteed workers the right to unionize and bargain collectively, strengthening labor unions and leading to the rise of leaders like John L. Lewis

National Labor Relations Board

(1934) Established by the Wagner Act to enforce labor rights and prevent employers from interfering with unions

National Youth Administration

(1935) Provided jobs and education opportunities for Americans aged 16–25

Public Works Administration

(1933) Funded large-scale public works projects to create jobs, improve infrastructure, and stimulate the economy

Resettlement Administration

(1935) Relocated struggling farmers, especially from Dust Bowl areas, to more productive land

Securities and Exchange Commission

(1934) Regulated the stock market and protected investors from fraud

Social Security Administration

(1935) Established a system of pensions, unemployment insurance, and welfare programs for economic security

Tennessee Valley Authority

(1933) Built dams to provide electricity, jobs, flood control, and economic development in the Tennessee Valley

Works Progress Administration

(1935) Spent billions on public projects to create jobs and reduce unemployment

Federal Art Project (WPA)

(1935) Employed artists to create murals, posters, and artwork for public buildings

Federal Music Project (WPA)

(1935) Employed musicians, composers, and conductors during the Great Depression

Federal Theatre Project (WPA)

(1935) Funded live theater performances and entertainment programs to employ actors and performers

Federal Writers' Project (WPA)

(1935) Employed writers, historians, and teachers to produce guides, histories, and other written works