Example-+1930s

1930s America

__**Historical Context**__: The 1930s were beset by the economic of the Depression. **Herbert Hoover** was president when the stock market crashed in 1929, and his inaction in the face of economic turmoil infuriated Americans. He believed in voluntarism as the solution to the nation's problems; people saw this as cold and uncaring. In 1932, **Franklin Delano Roosevelt** handily won the election, ushering in a more liberal period in American history in contrast to the political conservatism of the 1920s. FDR was not afraid to expand the power of the federal government to help the people face the problems of unemployment, hunger, and general despair over losing everything. FDR first gained people's trust with his **Fireside Chats**, in which he used the radio to explain the banking problems and other issues the country was facing. He then embarked on his first effort to expand the government's role: the **First Hundred Days**. The legislation of this period (the AAA, the NRA, the CCC, and others) focused heavily on providing relief to workers and **recovery** to the **economy**. While FDR faced fierce criticism (from the right that he was a communist and was going to far in socializing the country; from the left that he was not going far enough) and judicial obstacles (the Supreme Court overturned much of the legislation from the First Hundred Days), his actions made many Americans feel that he cared and that the government was making an effort to help them. FDR's **Second Hundred Days** of legislation included many long term reform measures such as the **Social Security Act**, the creation of the **Securities and Exchange Commission**, and the **Food and Drug Administration**. While many of these measures were successful, prior to 1937 the Court remained an obstacle. FDR attempted to "**pack the Court**" with more pro-New Deal justices, but his plan failed. Miraculously, in 1937, the Court shifted its philosophy and became more amenable to New Deal legislation. While the New Deal did give many Americans hope, it did not end the Depression. That did not occur until U.S. entry into World War II in 1941.



FDR's First Inaugural Address. Read this address from March 4, 1933. As you read pay attention to the ways that FDR gives the American people hope. You should also pay attention to the actions that he plans on taking, which allude to the **First Hundred Days** of legislation.

FDR's First Fireside Chat. Listen to the first two minutes of this **Fireside Chat** and pay attention to what about his language and tone of voice may have made him a comforting figure to many Americans.

**Works Progress Administration (WPA)** poster shows a blacksmith at work encouraging laborers to work for America. The WPA was the most comprehensive agency of Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal, providing jobs and income to the unemployed during the Great Depression. Men being put to work in the **Civilian Conservation Corps** during the **First Hundred Days**. The CCC put young unmarried, unemployed men to work starting in 1933. They worked on internal improvements to the country until 1942 when America was involved in World War II.



Huey Long, "Share the Wealth." Listen to this excerpt from **Huey Long's** speech on sharing the wealth more equally. Pay attention to how he speaks about wealthy bankers such as J.P. Morgan. What tells you that he thinks that more should be done for the American people?

**Social Security** poster promoting benefits for old-age widows.



FDR on his court-packing plan. Read this speech and consider the implications of FDR's plan to "**pack the Court**." He notes that Congress has the power to change the number of justices, but does that mean that they should do it?

The policies and programs of the **New Deal** drastically changed the government's role in people's lives. In the short term, relief programs such as the **Civilian Conservation Corps** made Americans feel valued and provided them with some income that they could feel proud of-- not simply a handout. The **Works Progress Administration** had a similar effect of providing jobs and income to the unemployed. The **Agricultural Adjustment Act** and the **National Recovery Act** attempted to help agriculture and business recover, respectively. In the long term, legislation such as the **Social Security Act** provided a social safety net for the elderly, the unemployed, the disabled, and poor children. This was particularly influential and still exists today. The **Food and Drug Administration** and the **Securities and Exchange Commission** are examples of agencies that were created to protect the public-- physically and financially. Some people view New Deal legislation as overreaching the acceptable power of the federal government-- others find the expansion of government during the New Deal to be vital for the social and economic security of the American people. This period is also interesting because it follows a period political conservatism in the 1920s, and it precedes a period of conservatism that follows World War II. This is evidence of the pattern of expansion and contraction in the role that the federal government plays in people's lives. The Progressive reformers planted the seed in Americans' minds that the government could, and should play a greater role in providing for the public welfare. New Deal reformers fulfilled many of the Progressives' goals and paved the way for even greater reforms to come.
 * __Analysis__**:

__**Sources**__: http://fsdownload.com/Flight_Simulator_Videos/img.youtube.com/vi/NMgGbI-hZvU/0.jpg http://newdeal.feri.org/speeches/1933a.htm http://www.wpaxradio.com/Roosevelt.jpg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt9f-MZX-58 http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Topics/Display/1187219?sid=1129603&cid=4&oid=1129603&useConcept=False http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_of9ue2vob2g/SFw8Q8GQsaI/AAAAAAAADoE/cnW4VOJdGKw/s400/Huey-Long.jpg http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIMi7fBA6e4 http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/307370?terms=new%20deal http://txcdk1.unt.edu/THECBLOR_v3_cont/bitstream/handle/2188/1939/images/image32.jpg http://americanhistory.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/254994?terms=new%20deal