During the era of the 1930’s, the United States grappled with a myriad of widespread economic issues. Following the Stock Market Crash of 1929, the United States economy was in shambles, with the loss of billions of dollars in revenue and the general destabilization of the United States economy. In light of the severe economic downturn, FDR stepped up to the presidency, advocating for a larger role of government intervention in an otherwise Laissez-Faire economic model. Half a century later, in 1981, Ronald Reagan assumed office. During this time period, the United States was in the midst of painfully slow economic progress, with this economic hardship being synonymous with terms such as “stagflation”. Upon entering office, Reagan would implement …show more content…
Reagan led through the pursuit of a more conservative means of governance, vying for limited government intervention in the economy, while FDR pushed a more liberal agenda, emphasizing government intervention and relief programs. The first key difference between Reagan and Roosevelt’s means of handling the country economically and politically was their approach towards the economy. Roosevelt would inherit the United States during the 1930’s, a period in time characterized by its severe economic downturn and economic fallout. Prior to the 1930’s, the Laissez-Faire ideological approach towards the economy had held strong, with the belief that the economy would mend itself regardless of any anomalies or deviations from the norm. However, the 1930’s proved that this hands off approach wasn’t going to allow the economy to heal itself; government intervention was needed. Thus, Roosevelt would reinstate New Deal policies that allowed for the government to help mitigate the economic situation. These policies included the creation of the NIRA, an act created solely for the purpose of regulating and economic recovery of the United