What was the New Deal?
The New Deal was a series of social, economic, and governmental reforms initiated by the administration of Franklin Delano Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression of the 1930s. At the time, the New Deal was met with huge amounts of criticism from some quarters and massive praise from others; in retrospect, the New Deal was a major event in American history. Legacies of New Deal programs can be seen in every state, and it is clear that the New Deal shaped the American landscape and American attitudes.
In 1929, the American stock market crashed catastrophically, setting off a domino affect throughout the American economy. In addition to its economic struggles, the country was also facing major issues in the farming sector, as it became clear that land use policies were not sustainable. Many Americans found themselves extremely poor almost overnight, which triggered social unrest in the already troubled nation.
Roosevelt felt that the country needed three things: Relief, Recovery, and Reform. The New Deal focused on providing relief to unemployed Americans and the troubled manufacturing sector while promoting economic recovery and reforming the American finance system to prevent the recurrence of the Depression. Roosevelt pushed a number of acts of legislation and policy which came to be collectively known as the “New Deal,” a reference to a statement that he made in his inauguration speech.
Relief was provided through a number of social programs which created employment for many Americans. The New Deal was the driving force behind the construction of dams, state park facilities, and a wide range of other public facilities throughout the United States. New Deal work crews helped to build homes, pave roads, and build public structures, among many other things. The New Deal also established Social Security, and pushed membership in labor unions and sustainable farming policy.
Under the New Deal, American financial systems were also reformed. Roosevelt pushed for a balance budget, more financial responsibility, and other policies which promoted economic health and growth. He also encouraged involvement in the Second World War, since he knew that it would revitalize the American economy. In addition, the New Deal had an impact on the arts, as it established funding for artists under the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Many enduring artistic expressions of the Great Depression were produced by artists with support from the WPA.
Written by S.E. Smith
