US History since 1865 - Chapter 21 discussion
According to Steinbeck, how do Depression-era migrant workers differ from those in earlier periods? How does that change their significance?
According to Steinbeck, Depression-era migrant workers differ from those in earlier periods due to migrant workers being ad were encouraged to work in America because of its cheap labor. Steinbeck also mentions that the earlier period workers came from a peon class which means they have been working in these unskilled farming jobs. Depression-era migrant workers were despised and described as "ignorant and dirty" but were considered "useful" once they were needed to work on farms.
According to Steinbeck, how do Depression-era migrant workers differ from those in earlier periods? How does that change their significance?
According to Steinbeck, Depression-era migrant workers differ from those in earlier periods due to migrant workers being ad were encouraged to work in America because of its cheap labor. Steinbeck also mentions that the earlier period workers came from a peon class which means they have been working in these unskilled farming jobs. Depression-era migrant workers were despised and described as "ignorant and dirty" but were considered "useful" once they were needed to work on farms. Steinbeck mentions a quote from a young boy in a squatter's camp, "When they need us they call us migrants, and when we've picked their crop, we're bums and we got to get out."(Foner, pg. 829) This impacts the significance of migrant workers at the time by pushing them to do what John Steinbeck feared, "Simply refusing to work, wipe out the season's crops."(Foner, pg. 829).
What does John L. Lewis mean by enabling workers to become free in their industrial life?
By this, Lewis means to let workers be able to make their own decisions when it comes to the workplace. He believes that industry workers do not have the same freedoms as other jobs since they are more controlled by the government that involves itself in industry. These workers are influenced by rules that do not make sense, and they just want a say in the determination of these rules, as well as a fair share in national income. To have the same freedoms and right as those who are not employed within the industrial realm of work, and to be considered equal.
Why does Norman Cousins consider the efforts to replace the employed women with me "the greatest assault on women's rights in two decades?"
Cousins calls the call to replace all working women with men "The greatest assault on women's rights in two decades," because of what it would mean for women who are ousted from their jobs. Instead of the far more independent and wage-earning women they were now relegated back to the serving housewife. Women got accepted into the workplace. The idea of having all women be locked back into their homes goes right against what the women's rights movement had been working for during the entirely of its existence. Cousins consider the efforts to replace employed women with men "the greatest assault on women's rights in two decades," because it literally downgrades and takes the women's rights movement back several steps even after all the fighting, they did in order to get those jobs. Women depended on their jobs just as men did as their jobs helped support their families, homes, and lives—they simply cannot go back to being housewives with no pay or even go back to being domestic workers since the pay would not help support their ladies, especially during the Great Depression
Why does DuBois believe that the situation of American Blacks was as critical in the 1930s as at any previous in the nation's past?
DuBois believes that the situation of American Blacks was as critical in the 1930s was because when the Great Depression hit the nation, it hate the Black community the hardest as they were already struggling even before the depression. The white man won't help Black people which is why Debois wanted black people to build their own nation in the country instead of looking for the help and support of white people as he knew it would never come. DuBois wanted to unite America for its own good. He believed that there should be no more segregation and separation from whites, blacks, and non-whites. For the sake of the country, every citizen, no matter the race, should unite without hatred, separations, or prejudice. He stated how the countries white government began to ignore African Americans' needs for education, medical health, and policies that had benefits that excluded black people, like the Social Security supplied from the New Deal. All he wanted was peace and a life without a belief in a "supreme" race or color. Because of this, the country's ignorance should stop and should be more open to help their fellow people, despite what color they may be. In the past, segregation, exclusion, separation, and ignorance caused African Americans to be less educated, healthy, and have less wages because of the color of their skin. He wanted the future white Americans to abandon these prejudices and be more open to unite with their non-white neighbors.
Why does DuBois feel that economic self-segregation offers a more viable strategy for blacks than continued pressure for racial integration?
Dubois thought it would increase economic cooperation, organized self-defense, and necessary self-confidence. He also thought that achieving new economic solidarity, increases existing legal and customary segregation b/w races and controls their own education, separate increases race antagonism, and increases economic cooperation, self-defense, and confidence. DeBois feels that economic self-segregation offers a more viable strategy for blacks than continued pressure for racial integration is due to the nature of social survival and their economic future as black people. When the Black community self-segregation, they can control their own education which is something that cannot be done in white schools, self-segregation also helps increase economic cooperation, organized self-defense, and necessary self-confidence that black people will gain.
Why did FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt) defeat Hoover in 1932? What did each of the candidates offer Americans?
During his administration, President Herbert Hoover encouraged big business and small government. He expected the federal government to allow its citizens to live freely without its interference. Although this system worked for years, on Black Tuesday, Hoover stood his ground without using his federal power to help the American people during a national crisis. This allowed Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) to win the presidential election. Although he did not quite have a plan to defeat the Great Depression, FDR hired several advisors to help him decide how to combat the Depression. He was pro-government which justified his use of power to help develop and restore the economy with the New Deal, which involved the government to help large corporations and businesses. The Election of 1932 was in many ways decided before the actual voting could take place. The Hoover administration, so dedicated to cooperation between businesses and government and keeping a balanced budget, was incapable of turning the economic situation around and in some cases even worsened the depression, such as the trade stall that followed from the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act. When the economy is poor and the current government is seemingly incompetent enough that they cannot improve the livelihoods of the desperate populace, then that is a recipe for a political shift in Congress and the Presidency. This is evidenced by the relative lack of information FDR provided about what plans he had to tackle the economic downturn once he was elected to the executive office. Despite his vague musings about a 'new deal' for Americans and ideas of increasing job opportunities, not much was known about the specifics of his policies moving forward, whether by him or by the voters. The only specific commitment he made was the abolishment of Prohibition, which was pretty unpopular by the time of this election anyway so that was an easier way to win approval from people. Regardless, due to the Depression, the current government was voted out in favor of a new group which people hoped would do a better job at rescuing the economy. FDR was able to defeat Hoover in the election of 1932 due to a variety of reasons, all based in promising the people a change in government. The current administration, Hoover's, had done little to help the people out of the administration, instead working more closely on government to large business relations than government to people. As such he did little to alleviate the depression and, in some cases, even made is worse such as his Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act that stalled international trade. As such even though FDR's promises were somewhat vague his "new deal" and prohibition removal promises made him very popular with the people. Besides only these points FDR also made it a point that he was for the people themselves and not the corporations and in his first 100 days of office he would prove himself putting out a blizzard of acts laws a bill collectively known as "the new deal" which began the end of the great depression as things started looking up for America for the first time in years. FDR ended up beating Hoover because he showed more promise to the American people. FDR offered a New Deal for the American citizens, who were upset with the Depression. Though he did not speak a lot about what was going to happen with this New Deal, he promised Americans a chance at more comfortable living conditions, as well as a balanced budget. Hoover was big on government spending and thought that the government could be able to help Americans during the Depression, but this did not turn out very well. FDR ended up winning the election with 57% of the popular vote. FDR won in 1932 in a few ways. Starting him being a symbolic representation of ordinary citizens and was often compared in the likeness of Lincoln. FDR offered a New Deal for the American citizens, who were upset with the Depression. Though he did not speak a lot about what was going to happen with this New Deal, he promised Americans a chance at more comfortable living conditions, as well as a balanced budget. He spoke on the government's responsibility to let every man be able to make a comfortable living. hoover had a lot of excessive government spending which FDR criticized him for.
Why did Franklin Roosevelt win in a landslide if, seemingly, so many people opposed his ideas?
Franklin D. Roosevelt won a landslide because he promised to give all Americans a "New Deal." He also promised to provide all individuals with employment opportunities. He worked hard on his necessities and supplying the profitable plan of his New Deal. During the early 1930s, The American people were in much of a despise need of a new leadership due to the ongoing state of the Great Depression, that President Roosevelt won by a landslide even though most people opposed and had some issues with his ideas due to his promise of a "new deal" for the people of the nation. Although his hints of this new deal were vague, people still fell for it as he spoke of the government's responsibility to guarantee everyone man has the right to make a comfortable living. The top 1% of America's population accounts for 20% of America's annual income. The ratio may have been a bit different in the early 30s, but the difference between the rich and the poor has always been so. Yes, it seemed that many people opposed his ideas, but those loud voices were those of wealthy businessowners and people who genuinely thought his policies were useless because they had never needed government aid. They were a vocal minority. Roosevelt's opponents weren't the men working the printing press; they weren't the ones picking up odd jobs and desperately trying to earn enough money to survive. Roosevelt's opponents were the ones who owned the papers. Historically, the lower class is silenced, deliberately forgotten about, and stigmatized. Roosevelt always had the majority of the people. The New Deal did not spell his downfall or the end of his career, it marked the defining point of it. At the time of his first term, the majority of America was poor, poverty-stricken, and struggling. By his second term, those people were beginning to have widespread access to aid. The 1936 election was divided very clearly by class. The majority of America has always been middle- and lower-class. The other candidate in the 1936 election was against the New Deal and, proportionate to the percentage of America's population that is considered upper-class, received about 1.5% of the electoral vote. Roosevelt's success in the 1936 election was due entirely due to class divide this election represented. Factory workers, tired of being beat by their supervisors, farmers tired of the limited government aid and millions of others fed up with the depression all voted for FDR as his new deal promised and had previously demonstrated his ability to be the one to end the depression. On the other side of the election was Alfred Landon who wanted to remove most of FDR's changes and go back to Hooverian America where large businesses exploited their workers and other corruptions were large issues. The truth is that there were very few people against FDR no matter how many newspapers and announcements said they were because these publishings were as often now as they were then controlled by the corporations that would benefit from FDR's downfall. This resulted in democracy working as it should with the grassroots movements of reform working to reelect FDR.
What benefits does Frank Hill believe the new federal policy bring to the Indians?
Hill believed the Indian New Deal would provide Indians with the ability to do as they wish without governmental intrusion. Hill believed this federal policy would allow the federal government to recognize the given rights to the Indians and allow them to be alone. Hill also believed this New Deal would allow Indians to practice their own culture without worry and still would be able to use methods of technology created by the white man. The government would also increase spending on Indian health.
How does Frank Hill describe the motivations for the Indian New Deal?
Hill describes the Indian New Deal as a way for Indians to help themselves. he states that it is important for Indians to stay true to themselves and continue their cultural traditions, while also assimilating to modern America. This apparent New Deal is different from past examples, where Americans tried to strip the values of these Indians away. The new Indian New Deal is the opposite, it wants to allow the freedom for Indians to learn more and practice more about their customs. By allowing the Indians the freedom and protection of practicing their cultural values and traditions, it will in turn help America out.
How does Herbert Hoover's definition of freedom differ from that of Franklin D. Roosevelt?
Hoover's definition of freedom differed from FDR (Franklin Delano Roosevelt) because at the time, he believed that every individual had the right to do what they wanted to do. Herbert Hoover defined freedom as smaller substantial government, whereas Franklin D. Roosevelt's definition of freedom was the opposite. Roosevelt, however, viewed the parliament and the government's involvement as "all right." Franklin D. Roosevelt came up with four different types of freedoms. They include freedom of speech, freedom of worship/belief, freedom from want, and freedom from fear and terror.
In addition to immediate relief, there were programs that tried to build a foundation to dig the nation out of the Depression and help prevent another Depression from happening. What were some of the programs meant to help the recovery and reform our economy and government at this time? How well did they work?
In the First New Deal, the programs that were meant to help the recovery and reform our economy and government were the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps), CWA (Civil Works Administration), FSA (Farm Security Administration), NIRA (National Industrial Recovery Act of 1933, and the SSA (Social Security Administration). These programs put individuals back to work and let the individuals have work/employment opportunities. All these programs were successful, in terms of mitigating, improving, or alleviating the lives of individuals who were agonized from the Great Depression. The exact legislation and programs that can be seen as long-term recovery initiatives rather than short-term are a little hard to ascertain, but I will list the ones that I see as most likely an attempt at a mass reformation of the economy. An example of this would be the Glass-Steagall Act which forbade commercial banks from trading in stocks to hopefully prevent further stock market crashes and downturns. The government also formed the FDIC to insure the money that individuals put into the bank to lessen the need for many people to do bank runs like what was seen after the market crash, which in turn may prevent future instances of banks failing and investment funds for businesses drying up. The banking reform sections of the First New Deal, according to the textbook, were largely successful, although they were also controversial. FDR's government also founded the NRA (National Recovery Administration) which worked in tandem with business leaders to set codes for prices, production, and working conditions to standardize industry and additionally offered official recognition of the rights of organized labor. This was an attempt to strengthen the economy and also prevent social upheaval related to industry, and at least appears to be a long-term initiative. The NRA, however, largely failed and became more of a symbolic gesture of the government's willingness to intervene in the economy from that point forward. These are some examples of programs the government undertook during this time, and there are many others. However, this should be enough to give a basic overview of the type of initiatives the First New Deal was comprised of. the depression was a critical time period in the history of the US. they thought that America would be able to recover in a short amount of time, the best approach offered to help was by FDR. the depression caused so much to drop such as stocks and reduction in international lending tariffs. the idea of the involvement of the government in business was a great idea which had a positive impact on citizens. the concept of relief, recover and reform was very big and helped the country a lot. the programs that helped the most were the civilian conservation corps, the civil works administration, the farm security act, the national industrial recovery act, and the social security administration. and these were some of them that did have success in America. There were many policies that were created to try to help recover and reform the government and the economy at this time. The banks were in a crisis, so FDR called a bank holiday and provided funds. He created the Glass-Steagall act that prohibited the banks from trading funds to hopefully change what had previously caused the stock market crash. There was also the FDIC that granted insurance to those who deposited money into the banks. This would help negate there ever being a problem withdrawing their money. After these two were put in place the banks did not fail. The NRA was put in place to ensure there were proper business codes that were used to get rid of cutthroat competition. The NRA failed because there was not enough government force to make sure these codes were being followed. The CCC helped unemployed men with jobs that were also beneficial to the environment. This was successful and helped over three million people. The AAA helped to raise farming prices, but only helped those who owned property. A lot of policies were put in place but not all of them were successful. I believe this was the first time that the government was attempting to really help the economy and make sure that wealth was distributed equally. The immediate relief programs set forth by FDR did a good deal of work to immediately stop and reverse the depression somewhat however lasting change could not come from these as they were unsustainable. To have a sustainable way of reversing the depression FDR implemented a good few new subbranches these included the CCC FDIC CWA FSA SSA AAA and FERA. These programs covered a broad range of issues and problems mostly centering around unemployment. How so many programs could all center around unemployment comes down to their specific fields. For example the CCC worked with young men ages 17-24 giving them two years of work for good wages and training while the SSA worked with social security and was the precursor to the modern social security administrations. There were varying degrees of success with the CCC for example working remarkably well in training America's new workforce and creating public infrastructure projects that still stand today. A lot of national park infrastructure was made by the CCC and is still used daily today, I myself have been on tens of bridges, paths, and staircases all built by the CCC nearly over 80 years ago. Other like the NRA however did not do to well with the NRA in particular being largely symbolic, In general however these programs lasted long enough to serve their purpose and allowed the depression to be curbed and slowed.
What does FDR mean by the difference between the definition of liberty that has existed in their past and his own definition of liberty?
In the past, FDR thought that "liberty" meant people were forced into systems here they had to work for people that were more privileged than them that is what they had to do in order to be employed and live in this country. His definition of liberty is a little different. Of course, he does not want a country full of unemployment people or individuals. He thinks that aiding people will help people stay employed and happy, rather than keeping them unhappy or unemployed.
What does FDR (Franklin D. Roosevelt) mean by the difference between the definition of liberty that had existed in the past and his own definition of liberty?
In the past, FDR thought that "liberty" meant people were forced into systems where they had to work for people that were more privileged than them, and that is what they had to do in order to be employed and live in this country. His definition of liberty is a little different. Of course, he does not want a country full of unemployed people, but he sees that the government should help people when they physically have no other option, or they cannot fully help themselves. He thinks that aiding people will help people stay employed and happy, rather than keeping them unhappy or unemployed.
How and why did labor unions get stronger during the 1930s? with this strength, what actions did they take to improve their standing and the lives of their members?
Labor unions were corporations of workers who took action to protect their principles, rights, and their attentiveness. In the 1930s, the purpose of labor unions was to fight for better pay and wages, fair and reasonable hours, cautious working conditions/circumstances, etc. In 1933, the National Industrial Recover Act was passed by Congress. This act, however, gave and provided laborers workers a consent to mutual trade and bargaining. Franklin Delano Roosevelt, however, inscribed the Wagner Act. The Wagner Act was a law in 1935 that allowed laborer workers and employees the consent to set up and organize unions. With the Wagner act, unions were now legal. There was also a reduction with European immigration, so there were less cultural differences between union members, making it easier to join together. These unions fought for not only better wages, but for the tyranny of employers to end. They joined together in multiple different industries to do sit ins, and other strikes. The congress of industrial organizations was created and this helped to demolish the use of force when the unions protested. Once the government was not aiding the companies with strikes, the companies were more willing to compromise with the unions and give them what they were asking for, such as the ability to have literature, get together to voice their grievances, and better working conditions. Following the pattern of FDR's beliefs about class and labor, he was in favor of unions. Labor unions were able to grow in the 1930s because the employment situation in America was worse than ever and because organizers were no longer being actively silenced and arrested. It was clear to many workers that corporate methods of squashing labor unions, as well as company unions and "industrial freedom" had a huge role in the current unemployment crisis. The CIO (Congress of Industrial Organizations) was essentially a revision on the conservative AFL. It found itself ideologically somewhere in the middle of the AFL and the IWW (fun fact: today, the AFL and CIO are merged into one organization, supporting unions for all. The AFL-CIO is still very active in the fight for workers' rights.) With the number of union members reaching a peak that it had not seen in decades, the CIO helped represent millions of Americans in unions. They were open to working with the government to aid the working class of America, and, under FDR's administration, the government was receptive. A small append, but the CIO being a respected organization by the general public also lent it strength, converse to social security. During the 1930s, the labor unions began to grow stronger with strength during this era and for good reason as the government this time around seemed to be more on the side of labor than before WW1. The National Industrial Recovery Act and the Wagner Act both helped grant workers to have the legal right to form unions. During this time, workers wanted an end to employers' arbitrary power within the workspace, and basic civil liberties for workers which included the right to picket, as well as distribute literature. The tremendous gains labor unions experienced in the 1930s resulted, in part, from the pro-union stance of the Roosevelt administration and from legislation enacted by Congress during the early New Deal. The National Industrial Recovery Act (1933) provided for collective bargaining. The labor movement in the US developed out of a need to protect the common interests of workers. the labor unions fought for better wages and better working conditions. they ended up helping and realized that all the power should not just be with the employer.
In what ways does John L. Lewis contrast the values represented by the labor movement with those of its opponents?
Lewis contrasts his values with those of anti-union organizations and with the AFL by speaking very clearly to what he thinks of them. In plain terms, saying that for groups of people who wish not to make any labor progress, they are very good at making very little progress themselves. Lewis' writing is a call to action and a plea for organized labor. He writes floridly and passionately, which sets him apart from the cold and uninterested anti-union writings of the time. His points are punctuated with numerous examples and cries of revolution and inevitable change directly identifying who is and is not a member or adjacent to the workers rights movement.
With all the steps forward during the 1930s, there were limits. What groups did not benefit as much as the nation as a whole? How and why did this happen? Why couldn't these obstacles be torn down? Even though not achieving equality, did these groups take steps forward too toward equality in the 1930s? If so, how?
The 1920s were a great time of change in America, however, in the 1930s and the hit of the great depression, many progressive accomplishments were reversed, and certain groups have to take many steps back as they did not have any benefits during the depression. Women were deciding if they should remove themselves from the labor market in order to make room for unemployed men, even though they were fighting hard for women to work. Black people in the south still faced limits, racism, and were still fighting for civil rights. Mexican Americans had to work in harsh and grim conditions in the fruit and vegetable fields During the 1930s President Roosevelt's new deal gave widespread changes to America in turning the progress of the depression around however as broad as the changes were there were still thousands left behind. Particularly African Americans still faced widespread racism, especially in the south where lynchings were still somewhat commonplace. FDR fearing controversy and loss of political standing did not take too radical of action against these however he did what he could while not losing the critical support of the heavily segregated south. It was a tricky balance as he had to keep the support of both the racist south and desegregationist African Americans in the north. Similar lines went for women who were granted many higher-level positions in the Franklin administration but whom the new deal did not particularly cater to. In general FDR passed regulations acted in ways that demonstrated a desire to equalize America but weather he truly wanted to do so or if he did such things simply for votes is always of debate. The new deal however helped out white males the most as they were the ones with the majority in government when it came out and as such there were many nuances and conditions that kept its progress from women and African Americans. The 30s represented a time of progress after many steps backward. Though change was flourishing after a decade of majority conservative values having favor, it did not extend to all Americans. For example, as industrial workers were making strides in their rights, freedoms, and protections, farmers continued to struggle systemically. The textbook puts it simply: "Yet while the New Deal significantly expanded the meaning of freedom, it did not erase freedom's boundaries. Its benefits flowed to industrial workers but not tenant farmers, to men far more fully than women, and to white Americans more than blacks, who, in the South, still were deprived of the basic rights of citizenship." (p. 476 in textbook pdf.) The limits of the New Deal are not necessarily a limit of change though, it is the limit of what the people in power were willing to give to those who were disadvantaged and discriminated. Disadvantaged communities in the 30s still made strides in equality, but they were cultural and social rather than legal and governmental.
What groups did not like Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal? Why? What did his opponents want to do about America's problems?
One of the groups that did not like the new deal or FDR was the Share Our Wealth movement along with its founder, Huey Long, also known as Kingfish. The purpose of the movement was to have most of the wealthy Americans to be confiscated and finance an immediate grant of $5,000 and a guaranteed job, as well as annual income for all American citizens. Another hater of FDR was Dr. Francis Townsend who supported a plan of the government making a monthly payment of $200 to the older citizens of the country which they had to spend in a hurry as a way to boost the economy. Conservatives were not fond of FDR. The economic troubles of the nation had only been extrapolated by the Great Depression, and FDR made bold, new decisions and policies to try to amend this. He was liberal—but only in today's definition. Back then, liberal used to mean someone was in favor of small government and a free market. FDR believed in quite the opposite. He constantly redefined words that conservatives had used for their beliefs (freedom, liberty, liberalism, etc.) and used them to support his policies. His social progress was all well and good, plenty of conservatives disagreed, but that's what conservatives do. They were much more vocal about the spending surrounding the New Deal. Even though the government spending was benefitting the country as a whole, conservative opposition (who were often wealthy or well-off) thought governmental support to the poor "undermined fiscal responsibility..." (Give Me Liberty pdf p. 508) FDR's opponents believed a better alternative to the New Deal would be to encourage economic freedom and create more jobs rather than supporting the unemployed. Someone who did not like FDR was Robert Taft who was a powerful senator at the time. he said that the new deal was much part of socialism and said that it harmed business interests and gave greater control to the center of government. someone else who disagreed with it was Townsend, him and his followers were very disappointed with the social security because it did not promise payments in 1935. the benefits social security promised were small compared to the 200 per month that Townsend wanted. With FDR new deal there were a few groups of people who did not like his new deal. Robert A. Taft is one of them. A powerful Republican Senator from Ohio from 1939 to 1953. Taft was the leader of the Republican Party's conservative wing; he consistently denounced the New Deal as "socialism" and argued that it harmed America's business interests and gave ever-greater control to the central government in Washington.
How and why did radical groups grow during the 1930s? what did they promote? What was their impact on the nation?
Radical groups grew in the 1930s, immediately following the Great Depression. The effects of the Depression were seen by many as the failure of capitalism, and therein fostered economic radicalism; Communism, Socialism, and labor reform were among the beliefs of their members. In addition to unrest and unhappiness with the economic system, the New Deal government was much less conservative than it had been over the previous years. Radical groups promoted progress, reform, and revolution for a number of issues. Over a decade after the Red Scare of 1919, the Communist Party of the United States had reached the peak of its membership to date, with working- and middle-class Americans fed up with the effects of the Great Depression and the conservative government's failure to stabilize the economy. Radical problems have forever created radical solutions and radical groups back these. As such when the entire nation collapses in on itself it is a bit hotbed for radical groups and their associated ideas and theories of varying credibility. The failing conservative government that Hoover had maintained caused a sharp turn around to form the 1919 red scare with communism being more supported than it had before as the Hoover administration failed to keep things afloat and labeled them as a simple process of capitalism. The idea that if capitalism were to regularly cause such issues and as such should be removed is not the most ridiculous one however one can be quick to point out the communist Russian revolution and how effects of that still resonate over 100 years later, for better or for worse. Regardless of internationally communism was on a bit of a rise during that time as both working and middle class sought a more stable system that catered to them as well as those at the top. Of course, with one radical group one side there is the other on the other side and these were the old business men who sought to keep women at home African Americans in the farms and the money in their pockets. These competing radical groups had much the same effect they had today, meaningless name calling political disputes with not much actually done while more reasonable heads go around getting things done while trying not to set one or the other too far off. In a way we still see pretty much the same things going on today with a slight adjustment of topics.
Why does Frances Perkins refer to "Our so-called free America?"
She refers to "our so-called free America" because wages for the workers she is referring to are incredibly low and prices on things are high compared to what they are making. She talks about how slaves had better conditions because at least they were guaranteed three meals a day and medical attention, but the people that are putting so much work in are not. She also said that the people in this area do not really have freedom of speech because they are not able to have any say in the conditions, they are working in. Perkins referred to "our so-called free America" because America, at the time faced racism, discrimination, and unemployment. That was why America wasn't free. Some individuals did not have freedom of speech, even though America was considered and labeled as a "free" nation. The reader is introduced to a preamble stating that in the 1930, people were very very unhappy with the oppressive working conditions that they were going through. The letter that is shown is addressed to the Secretary of Labor, Frances Perkins. The reason why the writer refers to America as "So called free" is because of the limitations that people faced. Yes, the working conditions of people and the wages that they were making were a big hindrance to the freedom of Americans in many aspects however it stretches to more than just that. You can't even express your opinions about working conditions because you would be ridiculed and probably fired. The writer even states that slaves had better working conditions. Now wether or not if that was a fair comparison or not is another story entirely but the point still stands that everyone in a sense was not free due to the shackles of work.
What was the 2nd New Deal? What were its major accomplishments and why did it end?
The Second New Deal (1935-1936) included plans and programs helped to re-allocate and address income, earnings, and salary for the elderly, indigent farmers, laborers, and the unemployed individuals. The Second New Deal ended during the second World War because unemployment and being out of work was not a problem anymore. Other acts were passed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt were the WPA (Works Progress Administration), NYA (National Youth Administration), and the Resettlement Administration. The National Youth Administration and the Works Progress Administration provided employment opportunities and provided education for any Americans. The second new deal was launched in 1935 and instead of focusing on economic recovery like the first deal, the second deal, however, focused on the nation's economic security which was a guarantee that Americans would be protected against employment and poverty. During this deal, there were a number of major accomplishments such as the REA, Rural Electrification Agency which brought electric power to homes that lacked it which was a pretty large percentage of the farms in America in 1934, there was also WPA, Works Progress Administration, and that program hired 3 million Americans of all walks of life every year until the end of 1943. The second new deal was different from the first as it was aimed to create economic security. The major accomplishments of the second deal were The Rural Electrification Agency which was created to provide electricity to households that did not have it, the Works Progress Administration which provided jobs for unemployed people on construction and arts sites, the social security act which gave better pensions, unemployment insurance, disability and public assistance, and the fair labor standards bill that forbid the selling of goods that were created by child labor, set hourly pay, and required overtime pay. These all made a huge impact on the lives of citizens. The second deal came to an end because of the large amount of government spending that ended the economic crisis but left the government with no money to fund these changes. The 2nd New Deal attempted to be fair and equal with the flow of money in the economy. For instance, this New Deal raised taxes in personal wealth and business profits to distribute that money to others, especially farmers. Through this, the Rural Electrification Agency (REA) used the money from the high taxes and gave electricity to several famers: 80% of farms did not have electricity until the 2nd New Deal. Because of this, nearly 90% of farms had electricity, and the New Deal promoted family farming and soil conservation. Because it was created for farm owners, the REA did not consider sharecropping, tenants, or immigrant laborers. Another program in the 2nd New Deal was the Works Progress Administration (WPA) which hired about 3 million Americans in what they would want to do. The WPA helped to inspire several artists, novelists, and actors in local theaters to perform and possibly become well known by many Americans. Through this, Americans became more interested in these drama and art. This also encouraged black actors to perform in all-black plays. A law created by the New Deal was the Wagner Act which empowered the National Labor Relations Board to establish democracy in the local workplace and would supervise elections to see if workers supported unions, but it also had a down side. This act also caused the many workers who were fired. Although these were important laws in the 2nd New Deal, FDR's main accomplishment was the Social Security Act, which was a system of old age pensions, unemployment insurance, and it would help the disabled, poor elderly, and families with dependent children. With this, the money for this act was mostly paid in taxes to keep the act from being discharged in the future. Although these and other plans were created to distribute from taxes and federal money, Roosevelt knew that he was spending more money than what was supposed to be distributed. Roosevelt later asked Congress for billions of dollars, but they refused. Because of this, FDR ended the distribution of money from taxes and used his federal money to accomplish the 2nd New Deal until it fell.
The Supreme Court was a thorn in FDR's side? Why did the Supreme Court not support many of FDR's programs? What did FDR do in response? How did that work out? What do you think about FDR's response?
The disconnect between the Supreme Court and the FDR administration mainly hinges on their different interpretations of freedom. The Court invalidated many New Deal programs, such as the NRA and the AAA, because they viewed their implementation as a violation of the separation of powers between state/local and federal governments. Additionally, local laws that set minimum wages were also overturned because the Court, still going by the 'liberty of contract' ideas that characterized the governance of the United States in the decades preceding the Great Depression, determined that these rules were an unlawful overreach that infringed upon the freedom of businesses. Frustrated by this, FDR hinted that he would be willing to introduce new members to the Supreme Court for every member who is over the age of 70. This process, known as court packing, was not actually carried out, but the threat itself along with the will of the people expressed in the heavily New Deal/FDR favored election of 1936 encouraged the Court to instead act toward ruling in favor of many administration initiatives. While this method of curtailing the thoughts of the Supreme Court is aggressive, ultimately a Court that is so unwilling to observe a change in protocol or in interpretation of the Constitution even in a time of crisis is something that only impedes the improvement of conditions for many people. In that sense, it is reasonable to attempt to fight against the Court even if it is through dubious methods. The supreme court was a rather large thorn in the side of FDR's administration as it nickle and dimed every move he made and tried to stop his progress of reversing the great depression at every step they could. They went as far as declaring NRA and AAA unconstitutional. This coupled with many other issues cause by the supreme court still being ruled by conservative and business minded conservatives added to their problem causing for FDR. His response to the resistance of the court started with a proposal to remove judges over 70 stating that at some point they would decline beyond proper abilities to fill the job. This was however declines by congress as the idea of the supreme court was judges for life. His next proposal after his landslide election was to pack the court increasing it from 9 to 15 with judges he himself picked. This would sway the court in his favor and as such the court made sure to stay on good terms with him from then on. Due to his landslide public perception of him was not too much damaged but looking back the idea of a president pushing the supreme court around as he did is a bit of a scary idea weather for the good of the nation or not. In his first term, President Franklin D. Roosevelt created several programs that would help Amiercans deal with the Great Depression. Although many of these progarms were helping the country, the Supreme Court began to banish them because they considered these programs as unconstitutional because they thought the president did not have that kind of ploiticla power and these programs sank more local buisness. In responce to this decition, FDR declared that the officials in the Supreme Court were too old to complete their duties fairly, and he proposed that justices over seventy should retire, but Congress rejected his request: six of the nine justices were over that age. Moreover, after his landslide win, FDR threatened the Court with Court packing which would increase the number of judges from nine to fifteen. Because of his threat, the Court worked in his favor. Through this, the Court began to favor minimum wage--in which they declare it was unconstitutional the previous year--and granted FDR many economic laws that involve the regulation of wages, hours, the production of agriculture, etc.. Because of this new change, the Supreme Court rarely declared new laws, policies, and restrictions unconstitutional after FDR's threat. Although many of his programs seemed to help the public, except for the AAA, I think FDR's response to the Court was quite childish, and I find that hilarious. Because the Court overturned his programs, he attempted to get rid of them with a new law, and Congress rejected that law. In a response to that, FDR threated Court packing which made the judges basically try to gain his favor and do whatever he wanted them to do.
During the early part of Franklin D. Roosevelt's presidency there was a flurry of legislation creating programs to lessen the effects of the Depression. What were some programs to relieve Americans from the immediate impact of the New Deal? How well did they work?
The programs and strategies to relieve Americans from the immediate impact of the First New Deal were the U.S. Travel Bureau (introduced in 1937), Federal Credit Unions (introduced in 1934), Income and Wealth Taxes (1934 to 1941), Electric Home and Farm Authority (introduced in 1934), Agricultural Adjustment Act (introduced in 1933), National Industrial Recovery Act (introduced in 1933), the Reconstruction Finance Corporation (introduced in 1932), etc. Roosevelt's set of programs helped individuals receive employment, for instance, the TVA (Tennessee Valley Authority) for the parliament/government to construct dams and barriers in order to control flooding along the Tennessee River. The First New Deal had many programs that tackled the immediate impacts of the Great Depression. Some took the form of providing either direct or indirect employment through the construction of public works and infrastructure. Organizations emblematic of this type of legislation include the Public Works Administration (PWA) portion of the NRA, the Civil Works Administration (CWA), which directly employed people instead of construction businesses like the PWA, and the more focused Tennessee Valley Administration (TVA), which specifically wished to create dams along the Tennessee River to create cheap electricity and prevent flooding. Some of these programs lasted longer and were more successful than others, but overall, these initiatives employed millions of people across the New Deal era and led to the creation of many bridges, roads, courthouses, tunnels, airports, dams, and other structures. FDR would later cancel the CWA due to complaints that it was creating a government-dependent class. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) also employed many people by creating jobs that had to do with preserving or patrolling the environment in places like national parks, forests, and preserves. This was another successful way that the government gave people employment while also benefiting the nation's natural environment. Another form of legislative endeavor undertaken was the Federal Housing Association (FDA) and the Homeowners Loan Corporation which helped give people low-interest loans to ensure that they maintain their housing as well as build additional cheap housing for the unemployed and the poor. This gave most Americans access to cheap and affordable housing, although it largely ignored communities with marginalized people such as African Americans. There was other legislation passed by the government during this time, but these are examples of large legislative undertakings during the First New Deal.
Why does Herbert Hoover believe that the future of freedom is at stake in the 1936 election?
There was a huge space between political parties and groups. That was a huge problem for freedom since that would decide individuals' future in the United States. Hoover, at the time, did not support and comprehend Franklin D. Roosevelt's new deal(s). Hoover did not support or understand FDR's New Deal legislation and felt that it would destroy the freedom of men. there was a huge gap between political parties and that was a huge crusade for liberty that would determine the future of freedom for us.
Did the New Deal create the American Welfare state? What might be positive and negative aspects of this? How and why did there develop a stigma around welfare in America in the 1930s?
Yes, in 1935, the New Deal created the American Welfare state. The role of the American welfare state was to protect American citizens from risks associated with unemployment, illness, etc. The American Welfare state gave protection to Americans, the wealthy, and the indigent or poor individuals. Franklin Roosevelt wanted to provide relief for unemployed Americans. As a result, many unemployed Americans received a job that involved building and constructing airports, bridges, dams, offices, roads, and hospitals. There were no negative aspect(s) of the American Welfare State. The American Welfare State was the centerpiece of another program/act of the second deal, the Social Security Act. This created a system of employment insurance old age pensions, and aid to the disabled, the elderly, the poor, and families with dependent children. There are some positive aspects as those who are in need are able to gain some type of money in order to keep living a comfortable life--however, there are some negative aspects and a develop stigma around welfare in America as many who are on it, are seen as people who do not work or get jobs in order to supply for themselves but they get handouts from the government. The First New Deal had many programs that tackled the immediate impacts of the Great Depression. Some took the form of providing either direct or indirect employment through the construction of public works and infrastructure. Organizations emblematic of this type of legislation include the Public Works Administration (PWA) portion of the NRA, the Civil Works Administration (CWA), which directly employed people instead of construction businesses like the PWA, and the more focused Tennessee Valley Administration (TVA), which specifically wished to create dams along the Tennessee River to create cheap electricity and prevent flooding. Some of these programs lasted longer and were more successful than others, but overall, these initiatives employed millions of people across the New Deal era and led to the creation of many bridges, roads, courthouses, tunnels, airports, dams, and other structures. FDR would later cancel the CWA due to complaints that it was creating a government-dependent class. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) also employed many people by creating jobs that had to do with preserving or patrolling the environment in places like national parks, forests, and preserves. This was another successful way that the government gave people employment while also benefiting the nation's natural environment. Another form of legislative endeavor undertaken was the Federal Housing Association (FHA) and the Homeowners Loan Corporation which helped give people low-interest loans to ensure that they maintain their housing as well as build additional cheap housing for the unemployed and the poor. This gave most Americans access to cheap and affordable housing, although it largely ignored communities with marginalized people such as African Americans. There was other legislation passed by the government during this time, but these are examples of large legislative undertakings during the First New Deal. The American welfare state extended beyond what it had been defined as in Europe. America was certainly a welfare state and had many people dependent on it due to the number of economic failings that had plagued the states for ages (though not always consecutively, America has never quite had a very stable economy, always oscillating between booms and crashes.) The fact that Americans in need were receiving that from the state through welfare and social security was a very good thing indeed. It was a bit of progress towards a country that was not actively violent towards its poorer and struggling classes. The stigmatism that those on welfare would be afflicted with and continue to receive is unjust and disappointing. The widespread necessity of welfare and social security in the United States is indicative of a system that's failing its people. Hundreds of thousands shouldn't have to be receiving support from the government just to survive. And, accounting for the stigma of welfare again, the number of people who could have benefitted from welfare is likely much higher than those who were actually on it. The welfare state was like a band-aid; addressing the issue on a surface level, but not fixing the root of the issue.
Why does Norman Cousins consider the proposal impractical?
it reduces or eliminates women's presence in the workforce and there are moral and economic standpoints, men aren't unemployed because of women its because of the economic structure itself.
