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U.S. History

Chapter 22

The New Deal: 1933–1940

Book Version 23
By Boundless
Boundless U.S. History
U.S. History
by Boundless
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Section 1
Roosevelt and the First New Deal
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The Roosevelt Administration

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's major legacies include the social policies of the New Deal, making the United States one of the leaders of the Allies during World War II, and redefining the role of the executive power.

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The Election of 1932

The Great Depression and thus the economy was the dominant issue during the presidential election of 1932 between Franklin Delano Roosevelt and incumbent Herbert Hoover.

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Competing Solutions

While Hoover's response to the Great Depression was initially too narrow and more decisive actions came too late, Roosevelt's New Deal drew on some of Hoover's ideas but proposed a series of sweeping reforms and programs.

Section 2
The New Deal
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Launching the New Deal

The New Deal was a series of economic programs and reforms designed to combat the consequences of the Great Depression in the United States.

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The New Dealers

The New Deal Coalition consisted of interest groups and voting blocs that supported Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal policies.

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Strengthening the Monetary System

One of the first initiatives of the Roosevelt administration was to reform the monetary system and failed banks.

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Agricultural Initiatives and Recovery

Roosevelt's New Deal agenda included an unprecedented effort to provide reform, recovery, and relief programs in rural areas.

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Industrial Recovery

The National Recovery Administration (NRA), which was one of the outcomes of the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), was the main New Deal agency focused on industrial recovery.

Section 3
Critical Interpretations of the New Deal
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Challenges to the New Deal

The New Deal faced growing opposition from conservatives in both political parties and attracted criticism among business leaders.

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Resistance to Business Reform

Many business leaders and conservative politicians expressed strong opposition to the New Deal's programs and reforms that aimed at industrial recovery. 

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Political Critiques of the New Deal

Roosevelt's New Deal attracted criticism from all sides of the political scene and was challenged by a number of popular movements that gained substantial support.  

Section 4
Minorities and the New Deal
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Minorities and the New Deal

The 1941 Executive Order 8802 banned racial discrimination in the national defense industry. 

Section 5
Toward a Welfare State
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Toward a Welfare State

FDR's New Deal established a number of influential welfare programs, the first of their kind in the United States.

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Empowering Labor

The New Deal succeeded in introducing a number of laws that empowered labor.

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Neglected Americans and the New Deal

The New Deal embraced the existing racial and gender inequalities and offered limited opportunities to African Americans and women. 

Section 6
Roosevelt's Second Term
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The Election of 1936

The presidential election of 1936 was the most lopsided U.S. presidential election in terms of electoral votes and the second biggest victory in terms of the popular vote.

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Court Packing

The Judicial Procedures Reform Bill of 1937, commonly referred to as "the court-packing plan," was proposed by FDR to gain political control over the US Supreme Court.

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Reaction and Recession

The Recession of 1937–1938 was an economic downturn that occurred during the Great Depression.

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A New Direction for Unions

The New Deal and the economic growth during World War II greatly empowered American labor unions, which resulted in the dramatic increase of union membership.

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The Last of the New Deal Reforms

During the final stage of the New Deal, the Roosevelt administration introduced far fewer initiatives than during FDR's first term but still passed some influential legislative initiatives.

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Eleanor Roosevelt

Eleanor Roosevelt redefined the role of the First Lady of the United States and remained politically active after her tenure in the White House. 

Section 7
Culture in the Thirties
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Culture in the Thirties

Despite the Great Depression, culture in the 1930s, both commercial and funded by New Deal programs as part of the relief effort, flourished.

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Popular Culture

The 1930s witnessed development of mass cultural trends fueled by contemporary technological advances, including radio and sound film. 

Section 8
Conclusion: The Legacy of the New Deal
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Conclusion: The Legacy of the New Deal

The New Deal redefined the role of the government, convincing the majority of ordinary Americans that the government not only could but should intervene in the economy as well as protect and provide direct support for American citizens.  

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Boundless U.S. History by Boundless
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The Roaring Twenties: 1920–1929
  • The New Era
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Chapter 22
The New Deal: 1933–1940
  • Roosevelt and the First New Deal
  • The New Deal
  • Critical Interpretations of the New Deal
  • Minorities and the New Deal
  • Toward a Welfare State
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From Isolation to World War II: 1930–1945
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