Objectives

• Describe how the New Deal affected different groups in American society.

• Analyze how the New Deal changed the shape of American party politics.

• Discuss the impact of Franklin D. Roosevelt on the presidency.

15.3 Effects of the New Deal

How did the New Deal change the social, economic, & political landscape of the U.S. for future generations?

After the New Deal gained women an opportunity to increase their influence.

Eleanor Roosevelt inspired many women in her leadership role during the New Deal.

However, the New Deal did not fight to end gender discrimination in the workplace.

•New Deal agencies employed men first.

•Women could not work for the CCC.

• The unemployment rate for African Americans was nearly 50%.

• Many people urged FDR to help end racial discrimination.

Black Cabinet – FDR’s African American unofficial advisers

Mary McLeod Bethune – educator & advisor on minority affair

African Americans were hit especially hard by the depression.

• Farm subsidies led landowners to evict sharecroppers.

• African Americans often did not receive equal wages.

• Domestic and farm workers, occupations that employed many African Americans, were exempted from New Deal programs.

But he did not always listen. FDR refused to support an anti-lynching law, fearing political fallout.

Some New Deal measures unintentionally hurt African Americans.

Indian New Deal –gave Native Americans economic assistance & greater control over their own affairs

The Indian Reorganization Act of 1934, which restored tribal control over native lands was considered the centerpiece of the Indian New Deal.

Secretary of the Interior Harold L. Ickes hands the first constitution issued under the Indian Reorganization Act to delegates of the Confederated Tribes of the Flathead Indian Reservation (Montana), 1935.

In a major policy change, the New Deal established the principle that the federal govt was responsible for the welfare of ALL Americans.

At the same time, the New Deal led to the rise of the – welfare state: govt that assumes responsibility for providing for children, the poor, elderly, sick, disabled, unemployed, etc.

Finally, FDR & the New Deal changed the nature of the presidency from what the forefathers set up in the Constitution.

● Black Cabinet – African American leaders who served as unofficial advisers to Franklin D. Roosevelt 

● Mary McLeod Bethune – educator and special advisor on minority affair in FDR’s Black Cabinet

● Indian New Deal – 1930s program that gave Native Americans economic assistance and greater control over their own affairs

● New Deal coalition – diverse group of southern whites, northern blue-collar workers, midwestern farmers, and African Americans that united behind FDR and the New Deal

● welfare state – government that assumes responsibility for providing for the welfare of children and the poor, elderly, sick, disabled, and unemployed