Many government programs created from the New Deal are still intact today. One such program is Social Security (doc. E), the “jewel” of the New Deal. It addressed elderly citizens’ lack of care, and provided money for those over 65. Social security continues to be one of the biggest money-eaters of the federal budget. Other programs still intact today include the TVA (jobs in the Tennessee Valley), SEC (committee that regulates the stock market), and the FDIC (bank insurance).
The Roosevelt Administration also attempted to address the needs of citizens, both socially and economically. With great efforts from FDR’s wife, Eleanor, women and Blacks gained some recognition and had improved rights. Some of the New Deal programs included Blacks (doc. I), and Roosevelt even appointed African Americans to his Brain Trust—a group of close advisors (doc. H). The Great Depression also brought into light the questionable social expectations of women. During the depression, women were rarely seen waiting in bread lines and sleeping in the streets even thought they faced the same hardship (doc. A). the pride many of these women held influenced the need of these women to hide their suffering in order to fit a decent social image. Economically, Roosevelt attempted to provide relief to the citizens. One program enacted was the CCC. Unemployment increased sharply during the Great Depression (doc. J). The CCC provided jobs by planting trees, building roads and bridges, and many nationwide improvements. These welfare programs caused much controversy because some believed in less intervention of the government. The many jobs and aid these programs made possible caused some to compare the New Deal to steps toward socialism and communism (Doc. B).
Finally, the previous laissez-faire tradition was broken and a more intervening federal government has been established. The growth in the bureaucracy and the growth in deficit spending were questionable (Doc. D). FDR established an imperial presidency, and abused the immense power he had (one example was his proposed court-packing reform).
In conclusion, Roosevelt’s administration increased the role of the government in the economy. His New Deal programs were more successful in empowering the government than lightening the effect of the Depression.
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