Darkest Times In American History: The New Deal Era

The New Deal Era

Jessica Scull

History 144

10/25/15

Soon after WWI ended, those in the middle class and upper class experienced an abundance in wealth and capitalism was thriving like never before. However, this time of prosperity didn’t last very long, America faced a series of economic issued that led to one of the darkest times in American history, the Great Depression. Banks, loans, and stocks had all failed, there was a decline in innovation, as well as supply and demand, and also a global financial crisis. In the tail end of the Great Depression, Republican President Herbert Hoover responded to the economic crises in America by imposing strong business-like ideals he and his administration strongly adhered to throughout

With his presidency came major transformation in the makeup of the Democratic Party, the meaning of Freedom and how people understood “Liberalism”. Blacks, immigrants, union workers, farmers, urban middle class and even some white supremacists were united by the belief that the government must provide protection against the hurts caused by capitalism. The meaning of Freedom was also redefined to mean respect for civil liberties and cultural pluralism. Although the meaning of Freedom was expanded, the civil liberties it now included were not extended to blacks or women, for example. Before the 20th century, Liberalism was understood to mean limited government and free market economies. But a modern understanding of the term brought an understanding that government would regulate the market economy and assist the less fortunate. FDR uses this new sense of liberty in his plans for political change for it would create a greater security for all Americans. The attainment of this economic security was placed in the hands of the government, which differed from the previous era where there was no expectation of federal assistance. FDR increased the responsibilities of his office and enriched the ability of the presidency to meet these new responsibilities. Critics of FDR called him a socialist and were strongly against

history, because of the New Deal, the government became more involved in the daily lives of Americans and was openly concerned with the welfare of its people. When FDR took office in 1933, he immediately set out a series of different programs and projects that he hoped would encourage economic recovery. He provided jobs and financial assistance as a form of immediate relief, but his ultimate goal was to see that Americans keep their dignity and become self-reliant. One of the first things he did as president was ask Congress to take steps toward ending Prohibition. By the end of the year, people were finally able to purchase beer and liquor legally because the 21st amendment was ratified. This led to an increase in employment in the liquor industry and allowed the government to benefit from tax revenues from alcohol. Although small changes were being made for economic recovery, unemployment still persisted and people were growing more desperate and frustrated. This led to FDR creating another wave of programs which became known as the Second New Deal. It provided more jobs for unemployed people, specifically with the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These jobs helped to build the nation’s infrastructure such as post offices, bridges, highways, parks and schools. It also gave work to independent artists such as painters, musicians, writer and theater directors. In addition to unemployment relief, a Social Security Act was initiated in 1935, to