President Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal Initiatives During The Great Depression

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In the 1930s, the United States faced the devastating impact of the Great Depression, leaving millions unemployed and struggling to survive. President Franklin D. Roosevelt responded to this crisis with his New Deal initiatives, aimed at revitalizing the economy and providing relief to those in need. This essay examines the effectiveness of the New Deal through its programs, its challenges, and its lasting legacy. The New Deal encompassed a variety of programs designed to alleviate economic hardships. Key initiatives included the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which aimed to provide jobs and economic stimulus through infrastructure projects. These programs not only aimed to reduce unemployment but also sought to modernize and improve the nation's infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, and public buildings (History.com Editors, 2010). While these efforts were commendable, critics argued that the New Deal did not fully address the persistent unemployment issues during the Depression, as unemployment remained high throughout much of the decade despite these job creation efforts (Kennedy, 2005). A significant component of Roosevelt's plan was the establishment of the National …show more content…

While the Social Security Act of 1935 provided essential support to elderly and unemployed individuals, it excluded many African American and Latino workers, particularly those in agricultural and domestic sectors. These exclusions showed the racial and gender biases of the time, limiting how effective the social welfare provisions for these groups (Kennedy, 2005). Similarly, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) facilitated homeownership but inadvertently perpetuated racial discrimination through its lending practices, effectively excluding minority groups from accessing affordable housing (History.com Editors,

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