Second New Deal

(noun)

The second stage of Franklin Delano's Roosevelt's response to the Great Depression. While the programs and reforms introduced in this stage continued the efforts of the first stage of FDR's agenda, they were envisioned as more long-term solutions with profound consequences on the U.S. economy. 

Related Terms

Examples of Second New Deal in the following topics:

  • The Second New Deal

    • In 1935, the Roosevelt administration unveiled legislation that would be known as the Second New Deal.
    • This "Second New Deal" was noted to be more liberal and more controversial than the "First New Deal" of 1933–34.
    • The work programs of the "First New Deal" were solely meant as immediate relief, destined to run less than a decade.
    • The Second New Deal also addressed housing.
    • The United States Housing Authority was one of the last New Deal agencies.

  • Legislative Achievements of the Second New Deal

    • The two major legislative achievements of the Second New Deal were the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) and the Social Security Act.
    • The National Labor Relations Act, NLRA, or Wagner Act, is a 1935 United States federal law that was one of the main achievements of the Second New Deal.
    • The Social Security Act, enacted August 14, 1935, was another significant achievement of the New Deal.
    • Beginning with a set of decisions in March, April, and May, 1937, however, the Court would sustain a series of New Deal legislation.
    • Identify at least two legislative achievements under the Second New Deal

  • Launching the New Deal

    • Some of the most important programs and reforms of the First New Deal were:
    • Public work projects were an essential component of the job creation program under the New Deal.
    • While the Second New Deal was a continuation of the First New Deal, reforms and programs labeled as the Second New Deal were less a result of the earlier sense of emergency and more a reflection of bolder attitudes.  
    • The New Deal was always about fixing capitalism rather than replacing it with a state-regulated economy.
    • The most important programs of the second stage of the New Deal were:

  • The Last of the New Deal Reforms

    • Historians continue to debate when the New Deal ended.
    • Although traditionally the New Deal is divided into two stages (First New Deal, 1933-34/5 and Second New Deal 1935-38), some historians refer to the final phase of the New Deal as the Third New Deal.
    • The Third New Deal usually refers to the period around and following the Recession of 1937-38 with some pointing to the the 1939 Reorganization Act (which allowed the President to reorganize the executive branch) as the end of the final phase of the New Deal.  
    • Despite the continuous economic crisis and hardships, the New Deal was largely over by 1939, where this family was seeking New Deal benefits.
    • Examine the last New Deal programs pushed through by the Roosevelt administration

  • Roosevelt's Second Term

    • During Roosevelt's second term, he faced major political opposition from both Republicans and anti-New Deal Democrats.
    • Determined to overcome the opposition of conservative Democrats in Congress, Roosevelt involved himself in the 1938 Democratic primaries, actively campaigning for challengers who were more supportive of New Deal reform.
    • Losses were concentrated among pro-New Deal Democrats.
    • The minimum wage law of 1938 was the last substantial New Deal reform act passed by Congress.
    • Discuss the limits on Roosevelt's New Deal efforts during his second term

  • Challenges to the New Deal

    • However, the Second Deal (1934/5-1938) provoked much more fervent criticism, particularly in conservative circles.
    • The American Liberty League was a non-partisan organization formed in 1934 in opposition to the New Deal.
    • The court-packing plan strengthened conservative opposition to the New Deal.
    • The Coalition's members did not form a solid anti-New Deal legislation voting bloc.
    • The results of the 1938 midterm election demonstrated that the dissatisfaction with New Deal policies grew.

  • The Roosevelt Administration

    • Second, together with Winston Churchill and Joseph Stalin, he led the victorious Allied forces during World War II.
    • FDR's New Deal redefined the role of the federal government in the United States.
    • The New Deal was the first large-scale practical application of the idea that the central government could significantly intervene in the economy.
    • Many New Deal reforms were no longer necessary.
    • Not until the end of the 1960s did the New Deal coalition begin to fall apart.

  • Conclusion: The Legacy of the New Deal

  • Conclusion: The Legacy of the New Deal

    • However, historians continue to debate the significance and legacy of the New Deal.
    • Other historians assess the legacy of the New Deal depending on their own political stand.
    • Historians agree that the New Deal resulted in critical changes in the U.S. political landscape.
    • The New Deal also dramatically changed the two main political parties in the United States.
    • In the 1960s, the New Deal would inspire President Lyndon B.

  • A Halfway Revolution

    • The New Deal is often called the "halfway revolution," because many argue that the New Deal did not go far enough.
    • The New Deal has often been called the "halfway revolution. " Essentially, this critique of the New Deal claims that the New Deal did not go far enough in its social or economic reforms.
    • Despite the criticisms that the New Deal did not go "far enough," the New Deal was at least a "halfway" revolution, a major step for liberalism in the United States.
    • In this way, it is argued that the New Deal was only a "halfway revolution. "
    • As mentioned, while it is often criticized that the New Deal did not go far enough as far as social reform, the United States has a number of social welfare programs that trace their legacy to the New Deal era.