Changes in America Video Lecture -

Introduction

  • Lecture focuses on changes in America during the 1930s

  • Discussion of New Deal policies and their impact on the economy and society

  • Essential questions to address:

    • Comparison of New Deal policies with opponents' approaches

    • Cultural movements in art, music, and literature

    • Women’s contributions to American society

    • Policies of totalitarian leaders leading to WWII

The New Deal

Overview

  • Split into two periods:

    • First New Deal (1933-1934)

      • Focused on relief and recovery

      • Popular and conservative approach with government involvement

      • Beneficiaries: big businesses and farmers

    • Second New Deal (1934-1941)

      • More liberal and focused on reform

      • Less popular due to increased government regulation

First New Deal Policies

  • Characterized by Alphabet Soup Agencies (ABC agencies)

  • Congress initially supportive; numerous programs passed with little resistance

  • Key programs include:

    • Emergency Banking Relief Act: Financial health examination of banks

    • Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA): Work and cash relief for Americans

    • Emergency Farm Mortgage Act: Assistance for farmers

    • Homeowners Loan Act: Targeting homeowners to prevent mortgage failures

    • Social Security Act: Provided income for retirees aged 65 and older

    • Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC): Oversaw stock market and protected investors

    • National Recovery Administration (NRA): Promoted fair competition and supported consumers

    • Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC): Protected depositors from losses due to bank failures

    • Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Employment for unemployed unmarried men aged 18-25

Key Outcomes of the First New Deal

  • Alleviated pressure of unemployment

  • Programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided numerous jobs

  • The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) helped raise prices of staple crops through subsidies

  • Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Built dams and provided electric power

  • Many acts from this phase remain, but some were deemed unconstitutional later

Second New Deal Policies

  • FDR more focused on economic prosperity and international trade

  • Established more permanent programs like:

    • Social Security Act: Continued support for retirees

    • National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act): Protected workers' rights and union activities

    • U.S. Housing Authority: Funded construction of housing projects

  • Faced criticism from both liberals and conservatives

    • Liberals felt the New Deal was not aggressive enough

    • Conservatives viewed it as harmful to individualism and too close to socialism

Criticisms of the New Deal

  • Concerns over dependence on government assistance

  • Resistance from conservatives and some Democrats

  • Court Packing Plan: FDR attempted to increase Supreme Court size to pass New Deal programs, criticized as manipulating judiciary

  • Social criticism over high unemployment (20% remained jobless)

  • Economic recession from 1937-1938 further tested New Deal's viability

Contributions of Women

Key Figures

  • Frances Perkins: First female cabinet member (Secretary of Labor), instrumental in shaping New Deal policies

  • Eleanor Roosevelt: Redefined the role of the First Lady, championed civil rights, and supported UN initiatives

Cultural Reflections during the Great Depression

Art and Literature

  • Literature reflected struggles or provided escape:

    • Escapist Literature: E.g., Gone With The Wind, The Maltese Falcon

    • Social Commentary: E.g., The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck, Their Eyes Were Watching God by Zora Neale Hurston

  • Art depicted struggles, e.g., Miner Joe by Elizabeth Olds, Approaching Storm by Thomas Hart Benton

Music and Fashion

  • Evolution of Music: Big band swing music replaces jazz; notable musicians include Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington

  • Fashion Shift: More practical clothing for lower-income individuals; shift from flapper styles to conservative designs

The Road to World War II

European Context

  • Totalitarian regimes rising; Hitler's control of Germany and Mussolini’s fascism in Italy

  • Hitler's aggression leads to invasion of Poland

Rise of Japan

  • Japan’s militaristic expansion begins with the invasion of Manchuria

  • Growing tensions with the U.S. due to embargoes and territorial disputes in Southeast Asia

  • Japan's alliances with Axis powers: Germany and Italy via the Tripartite Pact

Conclusion

  • Overview of essential questions regarding the New Deal's effects and contributions of various societal groups

  • Next session will focus on specifics of World War II.