Chapter 21: The New Deal - Outline PDF

Briefing Document: The New Deal Introduction: This briefing document analyzes key aspects of the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. The analysis is based on excerpts from Foner’s “Chapter 21: The New Deal.” Thi...

Briefing Document: The New Deal Introduction: This briefing document analyzes key aspects of the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression. The analysis is based on excerpts from Foner’s “Chapter 21: The New Deal.” This document will explore the political and economic context, the major programs, the challenges and criticisms of the New Deal, and the lasting impact. I. Context of the New Deal: ​ Economic Crisis: The Great Depression, with its widespread unemployment, bank failures, and economic hardship, was the primary catalyst for the New Deal. The text highlights the dramatic unemployment rates, with a clear visual of a spike around 1933. ​ The "Hundred Days": The early phase of Roosevelt's presidency, particularly the first "Hundred Days," were marked by a flurry of legislative activity. ​ "The Hundred Days...the frantic pace of activity pushed through a succession of measures to combat the Depression." ​ Ideological Shift: The New Deal represented a shift in the role of government, with increased intervention in the economy and the lives of individuals. The text also highlights FDR’s pragmatic approach, moving away from purely laissez-faire economic policies. II. Major Programs and Initiatives: ​ The National Industrial Recovery Act (NRA): This was a key component of the early New Deal, aimed at industrial recovery through cooperation between businesses and the government. ​ "The National Industrial Recovery Act sought to control output, prices and working conditions, and to reduce competition." ​ "The NRA rapidly promoted government involvement in the economy." ​ Public Works Administration (PWA): A program that focused on large-scale public works projects to create jobs and improve infrastructure. ​ The PWA spent billions on "highways, federal buildings, dams, and other public facilities." ​ Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): A regional development program focused on building dams to generate electricity, control flooding, and improve the economy of the Tennessee Valley. ​ "The most ambitious New Deal project was the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), another product of the ‘Hundred Days’ that was a vast project to control flooding, and deforestation along the Tennessee River and to provide cheap electric power." ​ The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): A program that employed young men on conservation projects. ​ "The CCC put unemployed young men to work in national forests, parks, and recreational areas." ​ Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): This act sought to raise farm prices by limiting agricultural production, which was causing an oversupply and price drops. ​ The AAA tried to address "overproduction" by the limiting of crops, and it "paid subsidies to farmers who agreed to reduce production." ​ Social Security Act: A landmark piece of legislation that established a system of old-age insurance, unemployment compensation, and aid to families with dependent children. ​ "The Social Security Act launched the foundation for a modern welfare state."  ​ Works Progress Administration (WPA): Employed millions of people in public works, infrastructure and arts projects. ​ The WPA "employed millions of job seekers in a variety of works projects from constructing highways and airports to building libraries, schools, and public buildings, and funding artists, writers, and actors." III. Themes and Ideas of the New Deal: ​ Economic Security: A major goal was to address the lack of economic security for Americans. The programs emphasized job creation, unemployment benefits, and social insurance. ​ “Roosevelt...understood it was the responsibility of the government to provide citizens with the ‘freedom from want’ through economic recovery and social reforms." ​ Government Intervention: The New Deal marked an unprecedented increase in government intervention in the economy and a belief that the federal government had a role in providing economic security. ​ The text argues that the New Deal abandoned the principle of the "free marketplace" and embraced a more government-driven economy. ​ Social Justice: While not explicitly a part of its goals, the New Deal was often interpreted as a way to provide social justice through economic and social reforms. ​ The "Forgotten Man": Roosevelt's policies were heavily focused on helping those most impacted by the Depression, a segment he often referred to as the "forgotten man." ​ "He declared that the New Deal aimed to help the forgotten man" ​ Experimentation and Flexibility: The New Deal was characterized by a willingness to experiment with various programs and adapt to changing circumstances. ​ “New Deal policies were created to experiment with a variety of economic and social reforms.” ​ Freedom & Security: A central theme was that "freedom" and "security" were linked, as Roosevelt believed that economic security was required to ensure freedom. ​ “He defined freedom as encompassing economic security as well as individual liberties, arguing that a person cannot truly be free if he is suffering economically. " ​ "Positive Government": Roosevelt's rhetoric emphasized a concept of "positive government" working to achieve the good of the population. IV. Challenges and Criticisms of the New Deal: ​ Supreme Court Challenges: Many New Deal programs faced challenges in the Supreme Court, with some being declared unconstitutional. ​ "The Supreme Court was initially hostile to New Deal legislation...the court had struck down several New Deal initiatives, including the NRA and the AAA." ​ Criticism from Left and Right: The New Deal faced criticism from both the left (arguing it didn't go far enough) and the right (arguing it was too interventionist and infringed upon individual liberty). ​ "From the left, critics charged that the New Deal was not doing enough to aid the poor and the disadvantaged" ​ "From the right, critics maintained that the New Deal was too socialistic and was destroying free enterprise" ​ Opposition on Economic Grounds: The New Deal was criticized for its potential effects on the budget, and also for what were seen as restrictions on free enterprise.  ​ The "New Deal was attacked as a dangerous move toward socialism that undermined the free enterprise system." ​ Opposition on Political Grounds: The text indicates a growing political divide fueled by New Deal programs, with increasing political polarization. ​ "The political fault lines in the U.S. ran more clearly than ever along lines of class and ideology." ​ Limitations in Addressing Inequality: Despite its aspirations, the New Deal did not fully address racial and gender inequalities. ​ "The New Deal did little to challenge racial discrimination" ​ "New Deal programs did not directly attack racial inequality." ​ "Some New Deal programs, in fact, reinforced existing racial inequalities" V. The New Deal and Specific Groups: ​ African Americans: The New Deal had a mixed impact on African Americans, offering some benefits but also reinforcing discriminatory practices in some programs. ​ "New Deal policies that initially neglected the needs of African Americans, and did little to challenge racial discrimination" ​ The text highlights that "many of the projects were segregated and that African Americans did not receive equal treatment in the dispersal of aid and opportunity" ​ Women: The New Deal brought more women into government, but gender inequalities persisted in workforce and wage gaps. ​ "The New Deal brought women into prominent government posts... but the programs largely benefited men and reinforced traditional ideas about female roles." ​ "Many New Deal initiatives reinforced traditional views about women’s role in the workforce and in the home." ​ Labor Movement: The New Deal era saw a rise in labor union membership and power, particularly with the rise of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO). ​ "the CIO...embarked on a series of labor actions that led to a tremendous growth in union membership and power in the 1930s" VI. Lasting Impact and Legacy: ​ Expanded Role of Government: The New Deal permanently altered the relationship between the government and the people, with a much larger role for the federal government. ​ Foundation for Social Safety Net: The Social Security Act established the foundation for the modern social safety net in the United States. ​ Transformation of Political Landscape: The New Deal cemented the Democratic Party's dominance for several decades and created a political polarization that continues today. ​ Transformation of American Identity: The New Deal introduced the concept of a "safety net" as part of American identity. ​ "The New Deal helped Americans understand that they were citizens not just of their states, but of their national community." VII. The Rise of Popular Front: ​ The text covers the idea of the "Popular Front" during the New Deal era. This was a time when many different groups with left-wing ideas like the Communist Party were united against Fascism in Europe and against the perceived oppression in the US during the depression. ​ The text calls the Popular Front an "unprecedented political alliance". Conclusion: The New Deal was a transformative period in American history, marked by unprecedented government intervention, experimentation with economic and social reforms, and political realignment. While it faced criticisms and limitations, particularly in addressing racial and gender inequality, its legacy remains significant in shaping the modern American welfare state and the relationship between the government and its citizens. The New Deal helped the United States recover from the Great Depression, but it also created new political and social divides that would continue to shape the country for decades to come.