Chapter 22- APUSH textbook

Managing the Great Depression, Forging the New Deal: 1929-1938

Early Responses to the Depression, 1929-1932

• Roosevelt's Inaugural Address (March 1933): Acknowledged the dire conditions of unemployment and economic strife.

• Public Sentiment: Roosevelt observed despair but also determination among citizens, urging for immediate action.

• Hoover's Administration: Prior to Roosevelt, President Hoover struggled with rising unemployment and economic failure with limited government intervention.

Key Events Leading Up to the New Deal

• The 1932 Election: Increased discontent with Hoover; Franklin D. Roosevelt elected due to promises of reform and action.

• The New Deal Emerges: Initiatives launched aimed at federal activism to assure economic security, contrasting with classical liberalism, which emphasized a smaller government.

The New Deal's Evolution: 1933-1935

• First Hundred Days: Roosevelt requested broad executive powers to implement measures against economic distress.

• Introduction of New Deal Programs: Focused on economic security, expanded government intervention in business.

  • Shift from a small government philosophy to a more involved federal leadership supporting social welfare.

  • Launch of programs that supported employment and infrastructure development (e.g., CCC, PWA).

The Challenge of Conservatism and Liberalism

• Critics of the New Deal: Conservative voices argued against government overreach and the undermining of personal freedoms.

• The Division in Politics: Supporters of the New Deal vs. conservative critics shaped political discourse for decades.

Economic Deterioration and Popular Discontent

• Rising Unemployment (1930-1932): Panic and protests became commonplace as economic conditions worsened.

• Bonus Army March (1932): A pivotal event reflecting veterans' dissatisfaction with the government’s lack of support, leading to police action against the protesters.

Social-Welfare Liberalism's Rise

• Economic Security as a Right: New agreements prioritized the welfare of citizens through programs like Social Security, supporting labor rights and employment.

• The Welfare State: Emergence of governmental responsibility for the economic security of citizens reshaped American political philosophy.

The New Deal's Implementation and Impact

• Market Reforms: Creation of the SEC to regulate stock market activities, reflecting new governmental roles in economic management.

• Funds for Unemployment Relief: Initiatives focused on job creation and economic stimulation to uplift American society from the Great Depression.

Notable New Deal Programs and Legislation

• Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): Addressed agricultural overproduction and economic decline across farming communities.

• National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA): Established guidelines for industrial recovery, supporting the rights of labor.

• Comprehensive Infrastructure Projects: Dams and other public works reshaped the landscape and provided jobs (e.g., TVA).

Paperwork and New Deal's Cultural Revolution

• Arts and Literature: New Deal programs fostered cultural expression through the Federal Arts Project, encouraging socially relevant art that depicted the struggles of ordinary Americans.

• Mass Media Engagement: Roosevelt’s fireside chats established a personal connection with citizens, reinforcing public trust in his policies.

Long-term Effects of the New Deal

• Enduring Political Shift: FDR's administration solidified a coalition of diverse groups, reshaping the Democratic Party's base for decades.

• Continued Debate Over Federal Roles: The tension between government intervention and individual liberties continued, shaping future welfare and economic policies throughout American history.

Conclusion

• The New Deal exemplified a pivotal shift in American governance, introducing extensive federal involvement in the economy and society, laying the groundwork for future social programs and establishing an ongoing conflict between liberal and conservative ideologies.