To what extent were the actions taken during his First Hundred Days key to the success of Roosevelt’s presidency?
Level
AS LEVEL
Year Examined
2022
Topic
The Great Crash, the Great Depression and the New Deal policies, 1920–41
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To what extent were the actions taken during his First Hundred Days key to the success of Roosevelt’s presidency?
To What Extent Were the Actions Taken During His First Hundred Days Key to the Success of Roosevelt’s Presidency?
Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s election in 1932 marked a turning point in American history. The nation, grappling with the devastating Great Depression, yearned for leadership and change. While the entirety of Roosevelt’s presidency played a crucial role in shaping the United States' recovery and future, his actions within the first hundred days were particularly significant in setting the stage for his overall success. By swiftly enacting a series of impactful legislation known as the “First New Deal,” Roosevelt effectively addressed the immediate crisis, instilled hope in a demoralized nation, and solidified his image as a proactive and decisive leader.
The Urgency of the Situation and the Need for Immediate Action
The United States faced an unprecedented crisis upon Roosevelt’s inauguration in March 1933. The Great Depression, triggered by the 1929 stock market crash, had plunged the nation into economic despair. Unemployment soared above 25%, banks failed, and businesses shuttered. The outgoing Hoover administration, wedded to laissez-faire principles, appeared helpless in the face of such widespread suffering. The gravity of the situation demanded immediate and decisive action, a reality that Roosevelt acknowledged and embraced.
The First Hundred Days: A Flurry of Legislative Activity
Between March 9th and June 16th, 1933, in a flurry of legislative activity unmatched in American history, Roosevelt’s administration pushed fifteen major bills through Congress. These bills, collectively known as the “First New Deal,” tackled the crisis on multiple fronts.
Banking Crisis and Financial Reform: One of Roosevelt’s first acts was declaring a bank holiday, temporarily shutting down the banking system to prevent further collapses. This decisive move, along with the passage of the Emergency Banking Act and the Glass-Steagall Act, helped restore confidence in the financial system. The creation of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) provided insurance for bank deposits, reassuring anxious depositors.
Relief and Job Creation: Recognizing the plight of millions of unemployed Americans, Roosevelt’s administration established various agencies to provide relief and create jobs. The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) employed young men in conservation projects, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) provided direct relief to the unemployed, and the Public Works Administration (PWA) launched large-scale public works projects, creating jobs and stimulating the economy.
Agricultural Relief: The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) aimed to raise crop prices by paying farmers to reduce production. While controversial, the AAA sought to alleviate the plight of farmers who had been hit hard by falling agricultural prices.
The Significance of the First Hundred Days
The sheer volume of legislation passed during the First Hundred Days was remarkable in itself, demonstrating Roosevelt’s commitment to swift and decisive action. However, the significance of these actions extends beyond their immediate impact on the crisis.
Restoring Confidence and Hope: Perhaps most importantly, Roosevelt’s actions in the First Hundred Days served as a psychological turning point for the nation. By taking charge and implementing bold initiatives, Roosevelt replaced fear and despair with a sense of hope and optimism. His radio addresses, known as “fireside chats,” further connected him to the American people, reassuring them that their government was actively working to alleviate their suffering.
Establishing a Paradigm Shift: The First Hundred Days also marked a significant shift in the role of the federal government in American life. Roosevelt’s actions expanded the scope of federal intervention in the economy and established a precedent for government activism in addressing social and economic problems. This expansion of federal power continued throughout the New Deal and beyond, shaping the relationship between the government and its citizens for decades to come.
Laying the Groundwork for Future Reforms: The First Hundred Days laid the groundwork for the more comprehensive and far-reaching reforms of Roosevelt’s “Second New Deal,” which began in 1935. Programs like the Social Security Act, the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA) built upon the foundation laid in the First Hundred Days, addressing systemic issues related to labor rights, social security, and economic inequality.
Conclusion
While the First Hundred Days did not end the Great Depression, they were undeniably crucial to the success of Roosevelt’s presidency. They demonstrated his commitment to action, restored hope to a demoralized nation, and established a foundation for further reforms. The legislation passed during this period addressed immediate crises, provided relief to millions of Americans, and fundamentally altered the relationship between the government and its citizens. The legacy of Roosevelt’s First Hundred Days extended far beyond those initial months, laying the groundwork for the transformative social and economic policies that would define his presidency and shape the future of the United States.
Sources:
Brinkley, Alan. "The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People." McGraw-Hill Education, 2014.
Leuchtenburg, William E. "Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1929-1940." Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2009.
Schlesinger, Jr., Arthur M. "The Age of Roosevelt: The Coming of the New Deal." Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1958.
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the context of Roosevelt's presidency and the significance of his First Hundred Days. State your argument regarding the extent to which these actions were key to his overall success.
The Significance of Immediate Action
Discuss the urgency of the situation in 1933 and the need for decisive action.
Analyze the impact of the fifteen major bills passed, highlighting the sense of hope and confidence they instilled in the American people.
Explain how Roosevelt utilized his political capital and the sense of crisis to overcome obstacles and implement his agenda.
Laying the Groundwork for the New Deal
Examine how the actions taken during the First Hundred Days established a precedent for government intervention and paved the way for future New Deal programs.
Provide specific examples of how these early actions facilitated the implementation of later policies.
Limitations of the First Hundred Days and the Second New Deal
Acknowledge the arguments that suggest the initial reforms were primarily focused on stabilization rather than radical change.
Discuss the significance of the Second New Deal in addressing deeper economic issues, providing specific examples of key legislation and its impact.
Analyze the extent to which the Second New Deal built upon and differed from the foundations laid during the First Hundred Days.
Conclusion
Offer a balanced conclusion that reiterates your argument regarding the importance of the First Hundred Days in the context of Roosevelt's overall success.
Acknowledge the significance of both the early actions and later reforms in shaping the New Deal and its legacy.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
To what extent were the actions taken during his First Hundred Days key to the success of Roosevelt’s presidency?
Possible discussion of effectiveness of ‘100 days’ policies:
- By March 1933 when President Roosevelt was inaugurated the financial and economic crises facing the USA, already some three years in duration, had become even worse than they were during the election campaign. Roosevelt’s decision to take clear action in his first 100 days was important to his presidency because it acted as a signal and rallying call to the country.
- During the 100 days Congress passed fifteen major bills to address urgent social and economic problems, a degree of legislative activity never matched before or since.
- As well as objective external factors which required urgent action, there were also political reasons for acting so quickly. His election gave Roosevelt a store of popularity which he could use to overcome the obstacles to effective government presented by the US constitution and especially the separation of powers. In his first few weeks in office, he was strong enough to take the drastic action which he believed the dire situation of the USA required.
- This sort of action taken so quickly after his inauguration sent a message to the country of Roosevelt’s intentions and allowed him to lay the groundwork for the rest of the New Deal.
Possible discussion of limits of the First 100 days and effectiveness of later actions:
- Some would argue that the early reforms laid down by Roosevelt were piecemeal and whilst they saved US capitalism from complete collapse, they also prevented its replacement by a form of socialist egalitarianism i.e., they were designed only to stabilize rather than offer radical reform.
- Arguably the reforms of the Second New Deal did more to address some of the underlying weaknesses of the economy. Candidates might consider the National Labour Relations Act (aka the Wagner Act); the Works Progress Administration; the Social Security Act; the Fair Labour Standards Act; the US Housing Authority. These should be assessed in relation to the success of Roosevelt’s policies. Accept any other valid responses.