UNIT 12

FDR & The Great Depression

FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT WON THE ELECTION…WHY?

The depression left many unemployed and homeless

Franklin believed that the depression required strong

action and leadership by the federal government to help

Americans recover

He accepted the democratic party and did not know much

about the economic hardship

Also pledged the “New Deal” which was intended to

combat the depression

CONT…

Hoovers popularity declined as the depression

worsened

Franklin won by a land slide and defeated Hoover

by about 7 million votes

Even though the democrats lost election, Franklin

was considered the rising star of the party.

WHAT WAS HIS MESSAGE TO THE AMERICAN

PUBLIC?

FDR proposes “packing” the court

Unveiled a plan that would dilute the power of the

sitting justices of the supreme court.

His justification was that the constitution did not

specify the number of judges on the court and

claimed that many of the justices were elderly and

overworked.

CONT…

Also wanted to a create a welfare state, a

government that assumes responsibility for

providing for the welfare of children, the poor, the

elderly, the sick, the disabled, and the unemployed.

A number of his new deal programs such as the

CCC, aimed at restoring forests and preserving the

environment

ACTION TOOK IN F IRST FEW MONTHS OF OFFICE AND THE

“HUNDRED DAYS”

Passed 15 bills

First new deal dealt with relief, effects of depression,

recover y, long term economy, and reformation

Emergency banking bill- closed banks until they got

accounts in order

Fireside chats- tells everyone what he's planning and

eases everyone's mind

CONT…

Created a federal deposit corporation- insures bank deposits

up to $5,000

Securities and exchange commission regulate the stock market

Agricultural adjustment act- created to end over production

financial aid to farmers who didn’t plant part of heir land and kill

extra livestock

Tennessee Valley Authority- Built dams to control floods and

generate electric power

CONT…

Civilian conservation corps provided jobs for 2 million men,

replanted forests, built trails, dug immigration ditches, and fought

fires

Federal emergency relief- granted federal funds to states and

local agencies to help unemployed

Home owners loan cooperation- loaned money at low interest

rates to home owners who couldn’t pay mortgage

Federal housing administration- insured bank loans for building

& repairing houses

CONT…

National Industry Recovery Act- established

national recovery administration, developed codes of

fair competition to govern whole industries

Public works administration- built bridges, dams,

power plants, and government buildings