In the beginning, Roosevelt had to face a widespread economic disaster which covered all sectors: the banking had collapsed so that most people lost all their money and lifetime savings; the agriculture, more than the other sectors, suffered from the depression by overproduction and falling prices; and the industry urgently required recovery. First of all, Roosevelt proclaimed “a three-day ‘bank holiday’” and shortly after that the Emergency Banking Relief Act (EBRA) to restore the collapsed banking. The Agricultural Adjustment Act(AAA) was an attempt to solve the agricultural difficulties, and the recovery of the industry should be achieved by the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA).
The resulting most predominant and urgent problem in all sectors was increasing unemployment and impoverishment which Roosevelt attacked by varying make-work programs. He was aware of the alarming dimensions of this problem. Regarding this fact, taking the jobless to work was Roosevelt’s most important concern and as it was the basis of the well-being and prosperity of the nation it had priority over all other problems. What sets Roosevelt apart from the other presidents was his faith in the future and his ability to convince the American people that they must also believe in the future to regain a normal way of life.
Roosevelt’s work relief programs, especially during the First Hundred Days, have repeatedly been debated up to this day. There have always been controversial discussions about the effects and failures.
For all that reasons, in my paper I will concentrate on the make-work programs and examine its positive and also negative effects. In the first part I will shortly outline the situation before Roosevelt’s presidency and his election pledge, and I will generally define the term. Further, I will have a closer look on the chronologically ordered programs of the First New Deal. I am going to define each measure, demonstrate the effects, achievements, and also the negative side effects respectively criticism. The second part focused the make-work measures of the Second New Deal in a similar way. I will give an overview of the regular earnings in contrast to the earnings under work relief and WPA in a table. My intention is to give an assessment of the positive and negative results and achievements. I will examine to what extent Roosevelt was able to fulfil his promise and whether the programs were successful on a long term basis.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
2. The Situation of the Americans before Roosevelt’s Presidency: Unemployment as a Result of the Great Depression
2.1 Roosevelt’s Encouragement of the Nation
3. New Deal – A General Definition
3.1 First New Deal – First Hundred Days
3.1.1 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
3.1.2 Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA)
3.1.3 Tennessee Valley Authority Act (TVA)
3.1.4 Public Works Administration (PWA)
3.1.5 Civil Works Administration (CWA)
4. Second New Deal – The Second Hundred Days
4.1 Works Progress Administration (WPA)
4.2 National Youth Administration (NYA)
5. Conclusion
Objectives and Topics
This paper assesses the effectiveness of the New Deal era "make-work" programs implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat the widespread unemployment and economic collapse caused by the Great Depression. The primary research goal is to examine the extent to which these government-funded initiatives succeeded in providing long-term economic relief, restoring public morale, and fulfilling Roosevelt's political promises to the American people.
- The socioeconomic situation of the United States prior to the New Deal.
- A critical evaluation of the First New Deal programs (CCC, FERA, TVA, PWA, CWA).
- A comparative analysis of the Second New Deal measures, specifically the WPA and NYA.
- The impact of "work relief" versus direct "dole" payments on worker dignity and economic recovery.
- An assessment of the long-term success and limitations of these programs in the context of the 1930s economic climate.
Excerpt from the Book
3.1.1 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
By the spring of 1933, “the needs of more than fifteen million unemployed had quite overwhelmed the resources of local governments. In some counties, as many as 90 per cent of the people were on relief” (Leuchtenberg 1963: 52). A high percentage of these people were young men. For that reason, Roosevelt set up the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) on March 21, 1933, which he favoured and which “was ever close to his heart” (Coukin 1992: 48). Roosevelt regarded his first program as “a project which united his belief in universal service for youth with his desire to improve the nation’s estate” (Leuchtenberg 1963: 52).Simplified, young men got “employment” and “military discipline, and at the same time improved and beautified” the “forest and recreational resources” (Coukin 1992). Roosevelt’s aim was to create “ a civilian forest army to put the ‘wild boys of the road’ and the unemployed of the cities to work in the national forests. […] Moreover, Roosevelt thought that the character of city men would benefit from a furlough in the country” (ibid: 52).
The young men lived in camps, organized and supervised by the US Army, in national parks and forests all over the United States. They worked primarily on “reforestation and flood-control projects” (Parmet 2002: 9), for example, “planted trees, cleared campsites, built bridges, constructed dams, and made fire trails” (Moss 2000: 191).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: This chapter outlines the economic disaster of the Great Depression, introduces Roosevelt's approach to banking and industrial recovery, and defines the scope of the assessment of various make-work programs.
2. The Situation of the Americans before Roosevelt’s Presidency: Unemployment as a Result of the Great Depression: This chapter provides a historical context for the desperate economic conditions in 1933 and the subsequent psychological and social impact of mass unemployment on the American population.
2.1 Roosevelt’s Encouragement of the Nation: This section details how Roosevelt used his inaugural address and the mass media, particularly "fireside chats," to restore public confidence and faith in the future.
3. New Deal – A General Definition: This chapter explores different scholarly interpretations of the "New Deal" as a strategic response to the economic crisis and a transformation of government authority.
3.1 First New Deal – First Hundred Days: This section analyzes the rapid legislative actions taken in early 1933 to provide immediate economic relief and job creation.
3.1.1 Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): This subsection describes the establishment of the CCC, which provided youth with employment through environmental conservation and reforestation projects.
3.1.2 Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA): This subsection evaluates FERA as a first attempt at large-scale government relief, noting both its immediate aid and the criticism it faced due to bureaucratic difficulties.
3.1.3 Tennessee Valley Authority Act (TVA): This subsection covers the TVA's role in regional development, flood control, and the generation of cheap hydroelectric power in the Tennessee River Valley.
3.1.4 Public Works Administration (PWA): This subsection discusses the PWA’s focus on large-scale infrastructure projects such as roads, hospitals, and public buildings to stimulate the economy.
3.1.5 Civil Works Administration (CWA): This subsection examines the CWA as a short-term, intensive employment program designed to carry the nation through the winter of 1933-1934.
4. Second New Deal – The Second Hundred Days: This chapter contrasts the focus of the Second New Deal on reform and more sustainable work relief compared to the earlier, emergency-driven measures.
4.1 Works Progress Administration (WPA): This subsection analyzes the WPA as the most comprehensive and significant work-relief program of the era, including its cultural projects and its limitations regarding wages and funding.
4.2 National Youth Administration (NYA): This subsection details how the NYA provided specific educational and work opportunities for students and unemployed young people.
5. Conclusion: This chapter synthesizes the evaluation of all programs, arguing that despite significant failures, the New Deal was an impressive achievement that alleviated suffering when no other solutions were available.
Keywords
New Deal, Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt, Work Relief, Unemployment, Civilian Conservation Corps, Works Progress Administration, Tennessee Valley Authority, Economic Recovery, Public Works, Social Relief, Infrastructure, 1930s, United States, Employment Programs.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this research paper?
The paper assesses the effectiveness and impact of the various "make-work" programs initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the New Deal era to address the massive unemployment caused by the Great Depression.
What are the primary thematic areas covered?
The research covers the economic collapse of the early 1930s, the legislative enactment of relief agencies, the shift from direct "dole" payments to work-based relief, and the critical assessment of programs like the CCC, WPA, and TVA.
What is the primary objective or research question?
The objective is to determine whether Roosevelt's programs met the public's expectations for relief, whether they successfully alleviated long-term suffering, and if the government fulfilled its promise to provide meaningful work to the jobless.
Which scientific methods are utilized in the work?
The work employs a historical-analytical method, comparing primary and secondary sources, government data, contemporary interviews, and scholarly assessments of the era's social and economic policies.
What topics are discussed in the main part of the work?
The main part provides a chronological and thematic analysis of the "First New Deal" and "Second New Deal," detailing the specific implementation, achievements, and criticisms of agencies such as the FERA, PWA, WPA, and NYA.
Which keywords characterize this work?
Key terms include New Deal, Great Depression, Roosevelt, Work Relief, Unemployment, CCC, WPA, TVA, economic recovery, and social welfare.
How does the author distinguish between the First and Second New Deal?
The author distinguishes them by noting that the First New Deal focused heavily on emergency relief and rapid economic recovery, whereas the Second New Deal was more concerned with reform and sustainable employment solutions.
What does the table in Chapter 4 reveal about WPA wages?
The table compares "regular" private sector wages with "work relief" and "WPA" wages, demonstrating that while WPA wages generally improved upon earlier relief payments, they often remained below pre-depression income levels and differed significantly by profession and skill level.
- Quote paper
- Corinna Roth (Author), 2006, The Make-Work Programs in the New Deal Era: An Assessment, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/82252
