InQuizitive: Chapter 25: The New Deal, 1933-1939

Complete the passage below describing why Father Charles E. Coughlin, the popular "radio priest" and founder of the National Union for Social Justice, attacked the New Deal and Roosevelt. Father Charles E. Coughlin believed that Roosevelt's New Deal was too Communist. In his speeches he accused Roosevelt of being used by the Jews. He applauded Adolf Hitler's policies and supported the idea of similar policies in the United States.

- Communist - the Jews - Adolf Hitler's

What criticism of the New Deal did supporters of the Townsend Plan and the Share-the-Wealth Society have in common?

Both programs called for far greater income redistribution from the wealthy to the poor than New Deal programs.

Identify the reasons why Roosevelt's critics opposed the New Deal.

Correct answers: - The United States still suffered from the Great Depression, and Roosevelt's programs didn't do enough to improve the economy. - The New Deal increased taxes and was too socialist. Incorrect answers: - Southerners opposed Roosevelt's New Deal because it granted too many new freedoms to African Americans. - Roosevelt's New Deal brought the United States into conflict with European powers.

How did the role of the federal government change under Roosevelt?

Correct answers: - The government became responsible for ensuring a minimum quality of life for Americans. - The government became responsible for regulating the economy and ensuring stability. Incorrect answers: - The government became more responsive to the needs of African Americans. - The government supported the military industrial complex to stimulate economic growth.

Eleanor Roosevelt was an important advocate for President Roosevelt's New Deal, embarking on a national tour that was instrumental in winning support for his programs. Which of the following both were accomplishments of the early New Deal and express the humanitarian goals she promoted?

Correct answers: - the Federal Emergency Relief Agencies and other programs that together hired 300,000 women - reversal of Woodrow Wilson's policy of segregation of federal government agencies and offices Incorrect answers: - the removal of immigration restrictions into the United States - the elimination of racial discrimination in all early New Deal relief agencies

Roosevelt ensured that his Second New Deal programs would stand by filling the Supreme Court with justices who supported him.

False

The First New Deal primarily focused on stimulating the economy in order to end the economic downturn. It did little to address the human suffering that resulted from the Great Depression.

False

Identify how Roosevelt's Second New Deal programs differed from the programs in his First New Deal.

Roosevelt's Second New Deal programs focused on social justice while the first programs were designed to save the economy.

The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) was one of the most successful jobs programs of the early New Deal.

True

Identify the effect that Roosevelt's Second New Deal programs had on unions.

Unions gained membership and became more widely recognized by employers.

Identify how the following programs in Roosevelt's Second New Deal changed the role of the federal government.

allowed the government to employ millions of Americans to work on public works projects - Works Progress Administration created several social-welfare programs to protect Americans who were not working - Social Security Act created an organization to oversee unions - Wagner Act

In one of FDR's first moves as president, he called a special session of Congress shortly after taking office, urging that the government secure the nation's banking sector and restore Americans' confidence in their institutions. Congress responded with several new laws. Match each of the following terms to the corresponding definition.

closed banks across the nation for a four-day "bank holiday" to allow the public panic over failing banks to subside and to give the federal government time to assess the situation - Emergency Banking Relief Act attempted to restore confidence in American banks by insuring customer bank accounts up to $2,500 - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was aimed at reforming the banking sector, including through a new insurance program for depositors and stipulations to prevent banks from investing the savings of depositors in risky stocks - Glass-Steagall Act

Identify the First New Deal policies.

paid farmers to limit their livestock and crop production in order to increase crop prices - Agricultural Adjustment Act sought to promote economic growth by allowing large corporations to establish prices among themselves for certain products - National Recovery Administration a federal regulatory agency established to monitor the purchase and sale of stocks and bonds under the new enforcement laws - Securities and Exchange Commission lessened the potential of future panics by guaranteeing that savings accounts up to a certain amount would be reimbursed with government funds in the event of bank failure - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation provided jobs for mostly young men such as planting trees; clearing brush; building roads, bridges, trails, campgrounds, and parks; and teaching rural communities about soil erosion - Civilian Conservation Corps

Complete the passage below describing how Roosevelt's Second New Deal influenced the Democratic party. Roosevelt enjoyed a sizeable victory in the election of 1936, and the Democrats controlled Congress. However, many of Roosevelt's policies caused a rift in the Democratic party. The president's Court-packing plan drew harsh criticism from Congress and was voted down. Southern Democrats did not like the increasing number of African Americans and unionists who supported Roosevelt.

- Court-packing plan - Southern Democrats

Complete the passage below describing the first decisions that Roosevelt made to address the collapse of thousands of the nation's banks. One of Roosevelt's advisers claimed that in his first eight days as president, Roosevelt "saved capitalism." Most of this can be attributed to Roosevelt's push for a piece of legislation known as the Emergency Banking Relief Act, which led to a four-day closure of all banks in order to defuse the panic surrounding the financial sector. Roosevelt reinforced his strategy through regular "fireside chats", which he used to assure Americans that they could safely deposit their money in banks once again. These reassurances proved successful as people returned their money to the banks once they reopened.

- Emergency Banking Relief Act - closure - "fireside chats"

Complete the passage below describing how Congress improved working conditions during the Second New Deal. The Fair Labor Standards Act created a minimum wage and limited the workweek to forty hours. It also made sixteen the minimum age for employment and applied only to businesses engaged in interstate commerce.

- Fair Labor Standards Act - sixteen - engaged in interstate commerce

Complete the passage below describing an act of Congress that helped transform the role of the federal government. The Securities Act of 1933 created greater transparency in the sale of stocks and bonds by demanding that all corporations selling their stock publicly divulge pertinent information about their company to better inform buyers.

- Securities Act - transparency - publicly divulge

Identify Roosevelt's strategy for providing federal work relief to jobless Americans, and evaluate its success.

Correct answers: - As unprecedented as the work relief projects were, Roosevelt viewed these programs as temporary and was reluctant to sustain them. - His strategy was initially limited to the state level; however, he implemented a federal work relief program soon after. Incorrect answers: - His strategy was limited to state-sponsored programs that he believed provided adequate relief. - He immediately implemented a jobs program at the federal level to provide relief for the unemployed.

Analyze why FDR launched a Second New Deal in 1935. How did it differ from the first? Responding to pressure from New Deal critics in 1935, Roosevelt told a reporter, "I'm fighting Communism, Huey Longism, Coughlinism, Townsendism" in order to "to save our system, the capitalist system" from such "crackpot ideas." Still, when FDR launched his Second New Deal in January of 1935, he said that "social justice ... has become a definite goal." Based on FDR's remarks, what conclusions can we draw about why FDR launched his Second New Deal?

Correct answers: - By adapting some of Long's and Coughlin's claims and ideas in his Second New Deal, FDR hoped to reduce potential political competition. - By making social justice a "definite goal" of the Second New Deal, FDR sought to counter criticism from people like Long and Townsend. Incorrect answers: - Long, Coughlin, and Townsend were vocal supporters of communism; therefore, FDR ensured none of the Second New Deal programs were remotely connected to their ideas. - FDR launched his Second New Deal because he believed that America had outgrown its capitalist system.

Analyze the map below of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). Which of the following does the map suggest about the impact of the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)?

Correct answers: - By placing dams along rivers in the Tennessee Valley, the TVA was able to bring electrical power to rural communities. - The TVA involved dam construction primarily along the Cumberland River, Tennessee River, and their tributaries. Incorrect answers: - Based on the evidence available from the map, it is clear that the TVA only benefited Tennessee. - Based on the map, the cities of Memphis and Paducah were able to benefit from electricity produced by the TVA.

Analyze the political cartoon below. Which of the following statements are consistent with the message this political cartoon communicates?

Correct answers: - FDR was determined to accomplish his goals and get Congress to act quickly. - Congress had been slow to act in the past. Incorrect answers: FDR vigorously tried to veto all bills Congress attempted to pass. - FDR intended to move forward with his New Deal program slowly.

Watch the author video before answering the question below. Which of the following statements accurately describe the use of the New Deal to try to resolve the problems of the Great Depression?

Correct answers: - FDR's advisers were initially unsure about the exact causes of the Great Depression, so they used the New Deal to try out various possible solutions. - Rather than the New Deal itself, the change that really ended the Great Depression was the massive increase in federal spending during World War II. Incorrect answers: - The New Deal had effectively resolved the problem of joblessness by the beginning of World War II. - FDR was in favor of spending as much federal government money as he needed to in order to combat the Great Depression, even if that meant going into debt.

In what ways did the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) impact the Appalachian region?

Correct answers: - It encouraged conservation efforts throughout the region. - It directed electricity into the region. - It produced the "Great Lakes of the South" through the construction of dams. Incorrect answers: - It eliminated the need for labor unions in the region's largest industries.

How did the New Deal impact American workers?

Correct answers: - New Deal programs and laws strengthened the bargaining power of unions. - Millions of workers began working for the government. Incorrect answers: - New Deal agencies treated racial and ethnic minority workers and white workers equally. - New Deal programs lowered unemployment to almost 0 percent.

Analyze the image below. What does the poster suggest about the details of the Social Security program when it first came out?

Correct answers: - Participants in the Social Security program would begin receiving monthly payments beginning at age 65. - Potential participants had to apply for a Social Security account number in order to receive benefits through the program. Incorrect answers: - The only people eligible to participate in Social Security were those working in agriculture, domestic service, and government work. - Private businesses ran the Social Security program, and the federal government remained uninvolved.

What were some of the shortcomings of the New Deal for African Americans?

Correct answers: - Racism by New Deal administrators limited the opportunities available to African Americans. - The Federal Housing Administration did not provide mortgages for African Americans who wanted to live in white neighborhoods. - Both the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Tennessee Valley Authority practiced segregation. Incorrect answers: - Roosevelt refused to appoint African Americans to government positions.

Identify the reasons why Roosevelt's critics were opposed to the National Recovery Administration (NRA).

Correct answers: - The NRA supported big corporations over small businesses. - The NRA did not protect agricultural and domestic workers. Incorrect answers: - The Great Depression continued despite the efforts of the NRA. - Big corporations were opposed to the NRA's support for small, family-owned businesses.

What about FDR contributed to his ability to confront and challenge the problems associated with the Great Depression?

Correct answers: - What set FDR apart was his willingness to experiment with government power and try out possible solutions. - FDR, as a self-proclaimed "preacher president," brought his unmatched optimism and activism to the White House. Incorrect answers: - FDR was uncompromisingly committed to a balanced budget, which helped the United States avoid a further economic dive. - FDR came into office with the New Deal, a pre-planned set of programs he designed to boost the economy and public confidence.

Designed by Secretary of Labor Frances Coralie Perkins, the Social Security Act had three major components. Which of the following comprise the three major parts of this legislation?

Correct answers: - federal grants for welfare payments to dependent children, mothers, and peoples with disabilities - a retirement pension program for people over the age of 65 - an unemployment compensation program Incorrect answers: - a general federal government revenue stream to fund the government-managed retirement component of the program - a local grant for retirement assistance especially for laborers in agricultural and domestic jobs

Identify the beneficiaries of the Social Security Act.

Correct answers: - retired Americans - Americans who were unemployed - Americans who were unable to work Incorrect answers: - farm workers - self-employed workers

Identify the components of Roosevelt's three-pronged strategy that he sought to implement in his First Hundred Days.

Correct answers: - subsidize the farm sector to boost low prices - promote compromises between management and labor - provide temporary aid for the unemployed Incorrect answers: - deregulate the financial industry in order to let the economy run its course

Match the following New Deal programs or organizations with the phase they were a part of: the First New Deal or the Second New Deal.

First New Deal - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) - National Recovery Administration (NRA) - Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) - Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) - Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Second New Deal - National Labor Relations Board - Works Progress Administration (WPA) - Social Security - Committee for Industrial Organization (CIO) - National Labor Relations Board

The Supreme Court was hostile to many New Deal elements during Roosevelt's first term, ruling that elements such as the National Recovery Administration were unconstitutional in seven out of nine cases that it reviewed. What was the main theme of the Court's decisions?

The Court ruled that the New Deal gave too much power to the federal government.

Put the following events related to the First and Second New Deal in chronological order.

The National Recovery Administration is created, and the Agriculture Adjustment act is passed. The Civil Works Administration is created. The Works Progress Administration is created. The Wagner Act is passed, and the National Labor Relations Board is created. Congress passes the "cornerstone" of the New Deal: the Social Security Act. FDR devises his famous "Court-packing scheme."

While much of the First New Deal focused on economic recovery and relief, the Second New Deal took aim at creating economic security. Match the following terms with the corresponding definition.

established a 40-cent minimum wage and a maximum workweek of 40 hours - Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) created the United States Housing Authority and helped finance housing projects to make housing more affordable for low-income residents - Wagner-Steagall National Housing Act set aside $4.8 billion in federal funds to support a slew of programs including the Works Progress Administration and the National Youth Administration - Emergency Relief Appropriation Act