Alphabet Soup Agencies

AAA

This program aimed to reduce agricultural overproduction by paying farmers to limit crop and livestock output, thereby stabilizing prices and increasing farm incomes.

Glass-Steagall

This act restructured the banking system by separating commercial and investment banking, limiting risky investments, and creating the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to protect depositors' savings.

CCC

This program provided jobs for unemployed young men (ages 18-25) to work on environmental conservation projects, such as planting trees, building parks, and preventing soil erosion, while also offering housing, meals, and a small stipend.

NIRA1

This section established codes for fair competition in industries, setting minimum wages, maximum working hours, and fair labor standards to boost economic recovery and reduce unemployment.

NIRA2

This created the Public Works Administration (PWA), which funded large-scale public construction projects like roads, schools, hospitals, and bridges to stimulate the economy and create jobs.

HOLC

This agency provided low-interest loans to struggling homeowners, helping them refinance mortgages, avoid foreclosure, and maintain their properties, thus stabilizing the housing market.

TVA

This agency built dams and power plants to provide electricity to rural areas, controlled flooding, improved navigation on the Tennessee River, and supported agricultural development with reforestation, erosion control, and fertilizer research.

CWA

This temporary program employed millions of workers in short-term public works projects such as repairing roads, building schools, and improving parks during the harsh winter of 1933-34.

NLRB

This agency was established to enforce labor laws, protect workers’ rights to form unions, engage in collective bargaining, and prevent unfair labor practices by employers.

SSA

This act created a system of social insurance, including retirement pensions, unemployment benefits, and aid for the disabled, widows, and children, funded by payroll taxes.

WPA

It employed millions of Americans in a variety of public works projects, including building infrastructure like bridges and schools, creating art, preserving historical records, and supporting community services like education and healthcare.

FDIC

This government agency protected American families’ bank deposits. If their bank collapsed, the government would guarantee their deposits.

NIRA (whole)

This act set standards for business practices including prices, working conditions, and output. Companies that adhered to its standard could put a “Blue Eagle” on their products.