■Essential Question:–How successful was Franklin

Roosevelt’s New Deal?

■Warm-Up Question:–What was the goal of the New

Deal? How successful was it? –What were the limitations? –How did the New Deal change

America? (Long-term impacts?)

The Impact of FDR’s New Deal■Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal

programs had a significant impact on American history:

Political Impact:FDR rejected conservative

policies & began a new era of unprecedented gov’t activism to

solve America’s problems

How did they pay for all of this?

FDR -- “Unjust concentration of wealth and power.”

Critics -- “Soak the rich act.” 75% on highest incomes

taxes on estates excess profits

of businesses

Revenue Act of 1935 (Wealth Tax Act)

The Impact of FDR’s New Deal■Political Impact:

–FDR gave citizens hope by using active gov’t programs, fireside chats, & decisive leadership

–The New Deal was the 1st attempt by the gov’t to take responsibility for the economy & welfare of the American people

–FDR introduced deficit spending & welfare programs for the 1st time

The New Deal and American Life■Political Impact:

–FDR’s leadership unified a new voting coalition for the Democratic Party made up of unions, African Americans, immigrants, & poor voters

Maintenance of a Democratic System

New Deal maintained a democratic system of government and society in a world threatened by totalitarianism Increased size and scope of

government to meet needs of the depression

Provided the leadership that enabled Congress to put through the necessary relief, recovery, and reform measures.

Sponsored moderate legislation to neutralize the popularity of radical opponents 

Extension of Democracy

Redefined the concept of democracy

NOW included political rights economic

security social justice

The Impact of FDR’s New Deal■Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal

programs had a significant impact on American history:

Economic Impact:The New Deal helped relieve

unemployment & provided long-term economic reforms, but it failed to end

the Great Depression

The Impact of FDR’s New Deal■ Economic Impact:

–The New Deal relieved farmers (AAA), unions (Wagner Act), the unemployed (CCC, WPA)

–The stock market (SEC) & banks (FDIC) were stabilized

–But, the economy was not stimulated, unemployment remained high, & wealth was still unevenly divided

The Economic Impact of the New Deal

Unemployment

10 million were still unemployed in 1939

12 million people were unemployed when FDR

took office in 1933

The Impact of FDR’s New Deal■Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal

programs had a significant impact on American history:

Social Impact:The New Deal helped some, but women & African Americans did

not receive equal treatment

The Impact of FDR’s New Deal■Social Impact:

–The New Deal offered help to groups of Americans in need like the elderly, single mothers, & disabled citizens

–First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt campaigned to help minority groups & spoke out against racism in America

Visits made by Eleanor Roosevelt

Human Rehabilitation Established the

principle that government has responsibility for the health, welfare, and security, as well as the protection and education of its citizens

Embraced social security, public health, housing

Entered the domain of agriculture and labor

The Impact of FDR’s New Deal■Social Impact:

–But New Deal programs allowed for unequal pay scales for women & African Americans

–But, women & African Americans supported FDR

“While relief & WPA are not ideal, they are better than the Hoover bread lines & they’ll have to do until the real thing comes along”