New Deal Essay Outline

How, and with what success, did the United States government try to solve the problems caused by the Great Depression?
Thesis: The government and Franklin Delano Roosevelt tried to solve the problems caused by the Great Depression by making programs through the New Deal to help certain issues and promote relief, recovery and reform. Some programs and acts in each of these categories were successful, and some weren’t.

I. Relief

a. Emergency Banking Act-effective, people gained trust in the banks again

b. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation-also helped people gain trust in the banks and they felt safe depositing their money

c. Federal Emergency Relief Administration (and the Civil Works Admin.)

Somewhat successful- there were immediate results that provided trust in the banks and made some jobs that had limited long-term benefits. The FERA and the CWA spent a lot of money that added to the country’s debt.

II. Recovery

a. National Recovery Administration-not successful, ruled unconstitutional because there was too much government control of free market

b. Tennessee Valley Authority-successful, government was the mediator between the states and built damns which provided the area with jobs and electricity.

c. Social Security Act-Important and successful in the long run

III. Reform

a. Agriculture Adjustment Administration-somewhat successful, Improvements in agriculture. Limitations-declared unconstitutional because it was inhumane to kill livestock the way they did.

b. Securities Exchange Commission-regulated stock market, effective because it restored confidence in the stock market.

c. Civilian Conservation Corps-effective, jobs for people and also conservation

d. Public Works Administration-successful, provided jobs

IV. Counter Argument- Huey Long and Father Coughlin

a. They thought that the New Deal was too complicated and wasn’t realistic

b. They were opposed to F.D.R. packing the court-he would essentially be taking over government if he packed the Supreme Court.

c. Long’s Share The Wealth Program

d. Government getting too involved with everything