FDR & New Deal Quiz (Section 23.1)

What did FDR announce in his first inaugural address that was controversial? Why do you think he made this announcement?

He announced he would expand the power of the office temporarily.

I think he made this announcement because he needed to be transparent with people about his New Deal Plans and what amount of power they would require.

What did FDR do on his first full day in office? How did this help solve the banking problem?

On FDR's first full day of office, he declared a Bank Holiday for all banks. This closed all banks.

This helped solve the banking problem because he persuaded Congress to pass the Emergency Banking Relief Act, which allowed the Treasury to inspect the country's banks.

Those in good shape could reopen automatically, while those unable to pay their debts remained closed. Those that remained closed could get help through loans.

This boosted public confidence in banks, as customers believed that open banks were in good financial shape.

What were FDR's three main goals for helping America during the Great Depression? Give an example of a program for each goal.

His three main goals were Relief, Recovery, and Reform.

Relief was immediate help for suffering Americans. This helped provide money and support through direct relief. An example is a bank holiday for banks

Recovery was temporary jobs and programs. This would restart demand. An example is the Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Reform was changes to laws and permanent programs to avoid another depression. An example is Social Security.

What was the Glass-Steagall Banking Act? How did it protect people's money in banks?

It was a law passed in 1993 that established the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) to protect individuals' bank accounts.

It protected people's money in banks as the FDIC provided federal insurance for individual bank accounts up to $5000, reassuring bank customers that their money was safe.

It also required banks to act cautiously with their customers' money.

What was the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)? How did it try to help farmers make more money?

The AAA was a law passed in 1933 to raise crop prices by paying farmers to leave a certain amount of their land unplanted, thus lowering crop production.

This helped farmers make more money as farm prices were raised and more money was given to farmers.

Describe the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). What kind of work did young men do in this program?

The CCC is an agency established as part of the New Deal (ND).

It put young unemployed men to work building roads, developing parks, planting trees, and helping erosion-control and flood-control projects.

What was the Works Progress Administration (WPA)? What types of jobs did it create for unemployed people?

The WPA was an agency established as part of the Second New Deal.

It provided the unemployed with jobs in construction, garment making, teaching the arts, and other fields.

What was the Social Security Act? Who did it help and how?

The Social Security Act was a law passed in 1935.

It provided aid to retirees, the unemployed, people with disabilities, and families with dependent children.

What is the FDIC, and what was its purpose?

It was an agency created in 1933 to ensure individuals' bank accounts, protecting people against losses due to bank failures.

Why did some liberals think the New Deal wasn't good enough? What did they want FDR to do differently?

Liberals believed the New Deal failed to address the issues that came along with capitalism, as well as not doing enough to help the poor.

They wanted FDR to have more radical wealth distribution and stronger labor protection, to reform capitalism, and to properly address poverty.

Why did some conservatives oppose the New Deal? What were they worried about?

Conservatives believed that FDR's policies exceeded the authority of the federal government.

They were worried that the government was becoming totalitarian (too much control over citizens' lives)

Who were some prominent individuals who opposed the New Deal?

Senator Huey Long, Dr Francis Townsend, and Charles Coughlin.

What was FDR's Court Packing Plan? Why did he want to add more judges to the Supreme Court?

He wanted to add one new justice to the Supreme Court for every justice over 70.

This was because he wanted a court more friendly to New Deal Programs.

What was the "Sick Chicken Case"? What was the real name of this court case?

It was a case against the Scheters Poultry Corporation vs The United States.

The Schechter's Poultry Corporation was accused of selling sick chickens and breaking the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) rules surrounding wages and hours. Most importantly, it violated the "live poultry code".

What did the 21st Amendment do? How was this connected to FDR's time as president?

The 21st Amendment repealed the 18th Amendment.

This put an end to Prohibition. This could be seen as a way to provide direct recovery to the economy as people would start buying alcohol again, therefore helping the economy, whilst being a cultural shift.

Explain what each term means and give one example of a New Deal program for each:

Relief: Immediate help for suffering Americans. This helped provide money and support through direct relief. An example is a bank holiday for banks

Recovery: Temporary jobs and programs. This would restart demand. An example is the Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Reform: Changes to laws and permanent programs to avoid another depression. An example is Social Security.

How did the New Deal change the role of the federal government? Give two specific examples.

It expanded the way the government operated and how involved it was in the lives of everyday Americans. It moved away from a laissez-faire approach and took a direct approach. Examples of this are Social Security and the Works Progress Administration (WPA).

The New Deal did NOT increase the power of business leaders. Explain why this is true and what the New Deal actually did to business.

It expanded the role of government interference in business.

There was a law that let the President set industry codes for wages, hours, and prices that affected how businesses operated (NIRA).

Name two New Deal programs or ideas that still exist today. Why do you think they lasted?

Social Security and the FDIC.

I think they both lasted because they gave financial security to Americans.

The FDIC gave Americans much-needed confidence to keep their money in banks, which created bank stability, whilst Social Security provided aid to those in need.