The first Hundred Days
Civil Works Administration-
Hopkins realized a huge number of unemployed citizens would be in severe distress once winter began. The CWA hired workers to build or improve 1,000 airports, 500,000 miles of roads, 40,000 school buildings, and 3,500 playgrounds and parks.
Public Works Administration-
One-third of the nation's unemployed were in the construction agency. To put them back to work, the PWA began building highways, dams, sewer systems, schools, etc.
Securities Act of 1933
Required companies that sold stocks and bonds to provide complete and truthful information to investors
Emergency Banking Relief Act
Required federal examiners to survey banks to ensure they were financially sound
Glass Steagall Act
Separated commercial banking These banks were no longer allowed to risk depositors' money by using it to speculate on the stock market
Creation of the Civilian Conservation Corps
The CCC offered unemployed young men 18 to 25 years old the opportunity to work under the direction of the forestry service planting trees, fighting forest fires, and building reservoirs.
Farm Credit Act
The FCA helped farmers refinance their mortgages. It was also able to push interest rates substantially lower. These loans saved millions of farms from foreclosure.
Federal Emergency Relief Act-
The FERA channeled money to state and local agencies to fund their relief projects.
National Industrial Recovery Act-
The NIRA suspended antitrust laws and allowed businesses, labor, and government to cooperate in setting up voluntary rules for each industry.
Tennessee Valley Authority Act
The TVA built dams to control floods, conserve forest lands, and bring electricity to rural areas.
National Labor Relations Act (AKA "Wagner Act")
This act guaranteed workers the right to organize unions and to bargain collectively.
Social Security Act-
This act provided some security for older Americans and unemployed workers. They could collect their monthly retirement benefit at age 65.
Agricultural Adjustment Act
This legislation was based on a simple idea—that prices for farm goods were low because farmers grew too much food. Under Roosevelt's program, the government would pay some farmers not to raise certain livestock, and not to grow certain crops.
Home Owners' Loan Act-
To help homeowners make their mortgage payment, Roosevelt asked Congress to establish the Home Owners' Loan Corporation. The HOLC bought the mortgages of many homeowners who were behind in their payments. Roughly 10% of homeowners received HOLC loans.
Works Progress Administration
WPA's 8.5 million workers constructed about 650,000 miles of highways, roads, and streets, 125,000 public buildings, and more than 8,000 parks. It built or improved more than 24,000 bridges and 853 airports.