Overview of the 1932 Election and the New Deal

1932 Election Candidates

Herbert Hoover (Republican) vs. Franklin D. Roosevelt (Democrat)

Democratic Platform Key Points 1932

Repeal of the 18th Amendment, entry into World Court, antitrust enforcement, tariff revision

Winner of the 1932 Election

Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR)

Goals of the New Deal

Relief, Recovery, Reform

Hundred Days

The first three months of FDR's presidency where Congress passed major emergency laws

Brain Trust

A group of academic advisors who helped FDR develop New Deal policies

Bank Holiday (March 1933)

Temporary closure of banks to prevent further collapse and restore trust

Emergency Banking Act

Reopened stable banks under government supervision

FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Administration)

Provided funds to states for direct relief; led by Harry Hopkins

CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps)

Employed young men in environmental projects like building parks and forests

CWA (Civil Works Administration)

Gave temporary public works jobs to unemployed workers

WPA (Works Progress Administration)

Created jobs building infrastructure and supporting the arts

AAA (Agricultural Adjustment Act)

Paid farmers to reduce crop production and raise prices

AAA Unconstitutionality Ruling

In U.S. v. Butler, the Court said Congress overstepped by taxing processors

TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority)

Built dams, produced electricity, and developed the Tennessee Valley region

Social Security Act (1935)

Provided pensions, unemployment insurance, and aid to the disabled and poor

FDR's Court Packing Plan

A failed proposal to add more justices to the Supreme Court

Critics of the New Deal - Liberals

Said it didn't go far enough

Critics of the New Deal - Conservatives

Claimed it was socialist and unconstitutional

Critics of the New Deal - Economists

Said it failed to fix unemployment and farm surpluses

FDR's 1940 Election Opponent

Wendell Willkie

Significance of FDR's 1940 Win

He won a third term—unprecedented in U.S. history

FDR's VP in 1940 and 1944

1940 - Henry Wallace; 1944 - Harry Truman

Major Accomplishment of the New Deal

It prevented economic collapse and expanded federal responsibility for welfare

Legacy of the New Deal

Permanent government programs like Social Security and stronger federal oversight