American History New Deal

The catastrophic stock market crash on October 24th, 1929 brought about widespread panic and the onset of incomparable consequences for America.   From this crash, the Great Depression arose which was a long period of increased unemployment, poverty and deflation.   The onset of the Depression left society blaming the government and seeking relief from the increased levels of poverty.   Due to society being worried and troubled, the government, in which Republican Herbert Hoover was president, took a conservative approach toward reconciling America’s problems, while Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt chose the liberal approach by establishing the New Deal.  
These two approaches started a division of the country and debates began over which approach would have the longer lasting, better effect on America.   There was disappointment in most cases since distinct aspects of each philosophy only targeted specific Americans who were in certain situations.   Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal was claimed by some to only help he poor society, while other’s claimed the New Deal went too far and helped everyone and some even criticized the program for not going far enough.   These views were seen in the articles in “Reading the American Past.”   Another dispute between these two philosophies was the government’s role in Republican view of Laissez Faire, where the Democratic point of view incorporated the New Deal.   There is great disagreement during this hard time after the Great Depression between citizens and their government.   In this time it seems the society is thinking on an individual level, which implies that businesses will do what they have to in order to survive.   The government should keep greater control over businesses in order to keep any sort of equality.   In regards to personal economy, it appears that a more conservative approach should be initiated and in Document 24-5, the thought of every man for himself arises.   Both philosophies have certain benefits fro... [continues]

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