FDR
Franklin Delano Roosevelt
 2 term Governor of New York
 Democrat
Election of 1932
“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit it frankly
and try another. But, above all, try something.”
 Roosevelt wins all but 6 states
 Democrats grab a 2/3 majority in the senate.
 Democrats grab a ¾ majority in the house.
Roosevelt’s New Deal
Roosevelt’s programs designed to alleviate the problems of the Great
Depression.
3 General Goals of New Deal
1 – Relief for the needy
2 – Economic Recovery
3 – Financial Reform
The Hundred Days (March 9 to June 16, 1933)
 Congress passes 15 pieces of New Deal legislation.
 The role of the federal government is greatly expanded.
Roosevelt takes charge

Appoints Frances Perkins to his cabinet – first woman to serve such a role.
Wife – Eleanor Roosevelt – important advisor on domestic policy
FDR’s first step is Bank and Finance Reform.
 Because of bank closures Americans had lost faith in the bank system.
 March 5th, 1933 the day after he took office Roosevelt declares a bank
holiday.
 Bank Holidays
o Roosevelt closes all banks to prevent further withdrawals.
 Congress passes the Emergency Banking Relief Act.
o This law allowed the Treasury Department (gov.) to inspect the
countries banks.
o Sound banks were allowed to reopen, insolvent would remain
closed.
o This revived public trust in banks
o Roosevelt’s fireside chat March 12, 1933
 Asked for peoples help and trust
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kFvrL_nqx2c
 Congress passes the Glass-Steagall Banking Act of 1933
o Establishes the FDIC
 Congress creates the SEC (the Security and Exchange Commission)
o Regulates the stock market. Prevents rigging of stock market.
 Congress repeals the Prohibition Amendment with the passage of the
21st amendment.
AAA – The Agricultural Adjustment Act
 Paid farmers to destroy or not grow crops and livestock to boost
prices.
Works Progress Administration – Creates New Jobs
CCC – Civilian Conservation Corps
 A works project to give jobs to young men between the ages of 18-25
o Built roads, planted trees, flood control projects
 Paid a small wage $30 a month, $25 sent right to families
o Housing and food provided.
o Planted more than 200 million trees in the Great Plains.
o 3 million men took part in the project by 1942.
FERA – the Federal Emergency Relief Administration
 $500 million in aid for relief for the needy
PWA – the Public Works Administration (June 1933)
 Money to states to create jobs
CWA – Civil Works Administration (Nov. 1933)
 Created 4 million immediate jobs for winter of ’33 and ‘34
o Built 40,000 schools
o Paid 50,000 school teachers in rural areas
o Built ½ million miles in roads
National Industrial Recovery Act
 Ruled unconstitutional by Supreme Court
o Wall Street and Small Businesses were happy about this
 Roosevelt unsuccessfully tries to reorganize Supreme Court
TVA – Tennessee Valley Authority (May 1933)
 Constructed 20 new dams and renovated 5 existing dams in the
Tennessee valley.
 Project created thousands of jobs
 Provided flood control
 Hydroelectric power
National Housing Act
 HOLC – Home Owners Loan Corp. (provides emergency loans to
prevent foreclosure)
 FHA – Provide govt. loans for home mortgages and repair loans.
Supporters of the New Deal
 It struck a balance between unregulated capitalism and over regulated
socialism
 Created work for millions
 Restored dignity in Americans
 Repaired and created millions of miles of roads
 Built thousands of schools and libraries
 Created flood control areas in Tennessee and Washington/Oregon
Critics of the New Deal
 Made federal govt. too powerful
 Involved govt. agencies in National finance, Agriculture, Housing and
industry
 Created too much govt. regulation
 Hampers the free-market
 Didn’t eliminate social and economic inequalities
 Created too much power for executive branch
 Created too much of a federal deficit – Reached new high during
Roosevelt’s first term
Legacy of the New Deal
 FDIC
 SEC
 Social Security
 Unemployment compensation
 Hydroelectric power