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New Deal Dbq

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The ramifications of the Great Depression extended far beyond the borders of the United States, impacting countries globally. The labor movement faced immense challenges during this period as soaring unemployment decimated union ranks and bargaining power. However, a turning point emerged as unions regained strength and a surge of militancy took hold by 1933-1934. Two critical factors drove this revival: 1) the pro-labor provisions of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), and 2) the New Deal's economic relief and job creation programs putting people back to work and reinvigorating consumer demand. Section 7a of the NIRA proved instrumental to labor's restoration by granting employees the right to join unions and bargain collectively …show more content…

Civilian Conservation Corps and Public Works Administration construction projects put millions back on payroll building infrastructure (Chapter 9, 446). Reinstating employment allowed unions to rebuild their dues bases and bargaining clout. Moreover, policies boosted consumer purchasing power, as "reviving employment and consumer demand resulted in an economy promoting union growth." Unemployment had nearly halved from its 1933 peak as these programs increased labor leverage. Pro-labor policies coupled with crisis spending aligned to foster conditions ripe for …show more content…

The "Memorial Day Massacre" video depicts how police killed 10 protesters in Chicago. Any policy gains remained contingent on grassroots courage and sacrifice from the rank-and-file confronting such violent repression. As Chapter 9 describes of the 1934 West Coast waterfront strike, "thousands of workers endured mass arrests, imprisonments, and martial law before ultimately prevailing" (518). From butchered picket lines to hard-won bargaining rights, labor's 1930s revival emerged through the synergy of new laws, economic upheaval and determined mass action. This dynamic contains vital lessons for working people's struggles today. The ability of unions to rapidly expand amidst crises like the Great Depression provides "important historical background on the relationships of power between labor, the state, and the economy." Just as legislative changes enabled 1930s activism by reforming anti-union policies, so too have modern reforms enabled tactics like unionization efforts at major companies today. And mirroring how economic desperation drove militancy before New Deal relief, recent strikes have emerged from frustrations over stagnant wages and pandemic

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