The New Deal Affects Many Groups
New Deal represented important
opportunities for minorities
and women, but the
opportunities were limited.
Prejudice and Discrimination
prevented equal participation
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Women and the New Deal
Several women appointed to
important government positions
Women faced discrimination in
the workplace from those that
thought women took jobs
away from men
82% American said wife should
not work if husband had job
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Women and the New Deal
NRA set lower minimum wages
for women
CWA hired only small
percentage of women
CCC hired only men
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Women and the New Deal
Progress – modest gains
Overall % of women in
workplace increased only
slightly
%of married women in the
workplace grew from 11.7%
to 15.6%
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
African Americans and the New
Deal
Roosevelt appoints more than 100
African Americans to key
positions
Mary McLeod Bethune
Head of Negro Division of the NYA
Bethune organized “Black Cabinet”
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
African Americans and the
New Deal
Marian Anderson not allowed
to perform for DAR 1939
Eleanor Roosevelt resigned
from DAR and arranged for
Anderson to perform at
Lincoln Memorial on Easter
Sunday
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
African Americans and the New
Deal
Higher Unemployment rate
Roosevelt fails to support Civil
Rights
Does not support anti-lynching
law or ending the Poll tax
New Deal agencies clearly
discriminated against African
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
African Americans and the New
Deal
African Americans fought for
rights
Southern Tenants Farmers Union
Fought to support rights of tenant
farmers and sharecroppers
Tenants Groups in the North
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
African Americans and the
New Deal
Despite all, African
Americans tended to
support Roosevelt as the
“Best hope for the
Future”
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Mexican Americans and the
New Deal
Tended to support Roosevelt,
received less benefits than
African Americans
Farm laborers essentially
unprotected by state and
Federal laws – No unions
CCC and WPA helped some but
discriminated against most
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Native Americans and the
New Deal
Received strong support
from New Deal
Gained full citizenship in
1924
Indian Reorganization Act
of 1934
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Indian Reorganization Act of 1934
Moved away from Assimilation to
Autonomy
Strengthened land claims
Boarding schools reduced,
Reservation education
Permission to elect tribal leaders
and to govern reservations
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
New Deal Coalition
The alignment of Diverse groups to
support Roosevelt and the
Democrats
Southern Whites
Various urban groups
African Americans
Unionized Industrial workers
Democrats dominated National politics
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
New Deal Coalition
Union members enjoyed better
conditions
Bargaining power
Roosevelt “Friend of Labor”
Money, campaign workers and
votes
Union membership rose from 3
to 11 million
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Struggle within labor for
Dominance
AFL was restricted to craft unions,
opposed industrial unions
Key leaders formed Committee for
Industrial Organization
Rapid growth, members expelled
from AFL
Change name to Congress of
Industrial Organization CIO
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Sit Down strike practice grows
Some Dramatic clashes
Memorial Day Massacre 1937
10 killed 84 injured
Republic Steel Plant
NLRB steps in and forces
President of steel to negotiate
with Union
Labor gains strength
The New Deal Affects Many Groups
Roosevelt wins in 1936
Carried nations 12
largest cities
Diverse ethnic and
religious
backgrounds
New Deal labor laws
and work relief
programs