History matching quiz
Works Progress Administration- WPA
New Deal agency that helped create jobs for those that needed them. It created around 9 million jobs working on bridges, roads, and buildings. The WPA was established in 1935 under President Franklin D. Roosevelt as part of the New Deal. It was designed to provide employment opportunities for unemployed Americans and stimulate economic recovery. The WPA ran its own projects in collaboration with state and local governments, which contributed 10-30% of the costs. The program employed millions of people in various fields, including construction, arts, and education. WPA workers built bridges, roads, public buildings, parks, and airports, among other infrastructure projects. The average salary for WPA employees was $41.57 per month. The WPA played a significant role in improving the nation's infrastructure and providing relief to those affected by the Great Depression.
Civilian Conservation Corps- CCC
New Deal program that hired unemployed men to work on natural conservation projects. The CCC focused on conservation and natural resource management projects. The program aimed to address both unemployment and environmental conservation during the Great Depression. Over the course of its existence, the CCC enrolled nearly 3 million young men. CCC participants worked on various projects, including reforestation, soil erosion control, trail construction, and wildlife conservation. They lived in camps and received food, shelter, and a small wage. The CCC played a significant role in the development of national and state parks, as well as the improvement of public lands across the country.
Social Security Act- SSA
New Deal program that provided retirement and unemployment insurance for American taxpayers, The Social Security Act created the Social Security program, which provides benefits to retired workers, disabled individuals, and the families of deceased workers. The law also established insurance against unemployment, providing financial assistance to individuals who are unemployed through no fault of their own. The Social Security Act was part of a broader effort to address the economic challenges of the Great Depression and provide a safety net for elderly, unemployed, and disadvantaged Americans. The law is officially titled "The Social Security Act of 1935" and is commonly referred to as SSA. It is codified in the United States Code under Title 42, Chapter 7.
United States Housing Authority- USHA
Provided federal loans for low-cost public housing. The USHA was established on September 1, 1937, within the United States Department of the Interior. It was created by the Housing Act of 1937, which aimed to address the housing crisis during the Great Depression. The USHA's main purpose was to provide loans to states and local governments for the construction of low-cost public housing. It played a significant role in the development of public housing projects across the country.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation- FDIC
an agency created in 1933 to insure individuals' bank accounts, protecting people against losses due to bank failures. It was created by the Banking Act of 1933, which was enacted during the Great Depression. The FDIC's main purpose is to maintain stability and public confidence in the nation's financial system. It is an independent agency established by the U.S. Congress and operates under the jurisdiction of the United States. The FDIC ensures that depositors' funds are protected and insured in case of bank failures.
National Labor Relations Act- aka Wagner Act
dubbed as "Labor's Magna Carta" in reference to an early landmark in history of freedom; empowered National Labor Relations Board to supervise elections in which employees voted on union reps; outlawed "unfair labor practices" guarantees the right of private sector employees to organize into trade unions and engage in collective bargaining. It aims to protect workplace democracy by providing employees at private-sector workplaces the fundamental right to seek better working conditions. The act created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which is responsible for enforcing the provisions of the act and addressing unfair labor practices. The NLRB is an independent federal agency that oversees union elections, investigates unfair labor practices, and facilitates collective bargaining between employers and employees.
Fair Labor Standards Act
1938 *Minimum wage law *Established a riding minimum wage and reduction of the work week *Provided time-and-a-half for work over that period of time sets guidelines for overtime pay, requiring employers to pay "time-and-a-half" for any hours worked over forty in a week. The FLSA prohibits the employment of minors in certain occupations and sets restrictions on the hours and conditions of work for minors. The law also includes provisions for recordkeeping and youth employment standards affecting employees in the private sector. The Fair Labor Standards Act has been in effect for over 85 years and has had a significant impact on labor practices and worker rights in the United States.
Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act
Establishes acceptable levels of pesticides in food; bans cancer-causing substances in processed food (USA) It gives authority to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to oversee the safety of food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics. The act is codified into Title 21 Chapter 9 of the United States Code. It has been amended over the years to address emerging issues and ensure the safety and effectiveness of products in the market. The FDA regulates various aspects, including the labeling, manufacturing, distribution, and advertising of food, drugs, medical devices, and cosmetics.
National Recovery Administration- NRA
Government agency that was part of the New Deal and dealt with the industrial sector of the economy. It allowed industries to create fair competition which were intended to reduce destructive competition and to help workers by setting minimum wages and maximum weekly hours. established by U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933. Its goal was to eliminate "cut throat competition" by bringing industry, labor, and government together to stimulate business recovery during the Great Depression
Public Works Administration- PWA
Helped construction workers get jobs doing public projects (highways, bridges, sewers) The Public Works Administration (PWA) was a government agency established as part of the New Deal in 1933. Its main goal was to provide employment and stimulate economic recovery during the Great Depression. The PWA funded and supervised the construction of numerous public infrastructure projects, such as roads, bridges, schools, hospitals, and dams. Some notable projects undertaken by the PWA include the Grand Coulee Dam, the Triborough Bridge in New York City, and the Overseas Highway in Florida
Rural Electrification Administration- REA
The administration that provided electricity for rural America; utility co-ops. The Rural Electrification Act of 1936, enacted on May 20, 1936, provided federal loans for the installation of electrical distribution systems to serve rural areas of the United States. The REA aimed to bring electricity to rural communities that were underserved or not served at all by private power companies. The agency provided low-cost loans to farmers, ranchers, and rural cooperatives to fund the construction of electric power lines and infrastructure. By June 1939, the REA had helped establish 417 electrical cooperatives serving 268,000 households, significantly increasing the number of electrified rural areas. The funding provided by the REA, along with the hard work of Rural Electric Cooperatives, transformed agriculture and life in rural America, bringing productivity and prosperity. The REA played a crucial role in bridging the electricity gap between urban and rural areas, improving the quality of life and economic opportunities for rural communities.
Tennessee Valley Authority- TVA
a federal corporation established in 1933 to construct dams and power plants in the Tennessee Valley region to generate electricity as well as to prevent floods. is a government agency and federally owned electric utility corporation in the United States. It was founded on May 18, 1933, and its headquarters are located in Knoxville, TN. The TVA's service area covers all of Tennessee, portions of Alabama, Mississippi, and Kentucky, as well as small areas of Georgia, North Carolina, and Virginia. The TVA's mission is to provide clean, reliable energy, promote environmental stewardship, and contribute to economic development in the Tennessee Valley region. It serves approximately ten million people and is owned by the Federal government of the United States.
