FDR and the New Deal: Key Legislation and Policies

Franklin D. Roosevelt elected President

1932

First Hundred Days legislative session

March-June 1933

Second New Deal begins

1935-1936

National Labor Relations Act & Social Security Act passed

1935

Court-packing plan proposed

1937

Third New Deal begins; Fair Labor Standards Act passed

1938

WWII begins in Europe - U.S. economy recovers

1939

New Deal

Series of programs and reforms introduced by FDR to combat the Great Depression.

Relief, Recovery, Reform

The 3 goals of the New Deal: immediate relief for the needy, economic recovery, and long-term financial reforms.

First Hundred Days

Period of intense legislative activity to address banking, farming, unemployment.

Second New Deal

Focused more on long-term reform, labor rights, and Social Security.

Third New Deal

Attempted to scale back spending, led to recession, followed by renewed spending and trust-busting.

Court-packing Plan

FDR's failed 1937 attempt to expand the Supreme Court to support New Deal policies.

Keynesian Economics

Economic theory supporting government intervention to stimulate demand during downturns.

Welfare State

Government ensures basic social services (e.g., Social Security, unemployment insurance).

FDIC

Insured bank deposits (Banking Act of 1933)

AAA

Paid farmers to reduce crop production (Agricultural Adjustment Act)

TVA

Built dams, created electricity & jobs in the Southeast (Tennessee Valley Authority)

CCC

Created jobs for young men in conservation projects (Civilian Conservation Corps)

FERA

Provided direct relief to the unemployed (Federal Emergency Relief Administration)

NIRA / NRA

Regulated industry, wages, and labor rights (later declared unconstitutional)

PWA / WPA

Funded public works and arts projects to create jobs

Social Security Act

Established pensions, unemployment insurance, aid for disabled and children

SEC

Regulated stock market and securities fraud (Securities Exchange Commission)

Fair Labor Standards Act

Established minimum wage, 40-hour work week, and restricted child labor

Franklin D. Roosevelt

U.S. President who led the New Deal era

Fireside Chats

FDR's radio addresses to reassure the public

Brain Trust

Group of advisors who helped shape New Deal programs

John Maynard Keynes

British economist whose ideas supported government spending during recessions