How significant a feature of the New Deal were policies aimed at improving the lives of workers? Explain your answer.
Level
IGCSE
Year Examined
2023
Topic
THE UNITED STATES, 1919–41
👑Complete Model Essay
How significant a feature of the New Deal were policies aimed at improving the lives of workers? Explain your answer.
How significant a feature of the New Deal were policies aimed at improving the lives of workers?
The New Deal, implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt during the 1930s, was a series of programs and reforms aimed at combating the Great Depression. While a significant portion of the New Deal focused on providing relief and recovery for the entire nation, the significance of policies specifically targeting workers' lives remains a point of contention. This essay will argue that although some policies did yield positive results for workers, their overall impact was limited by various factors, ultimately making them less significant compared to other aspects of the New Deal aimed at broader economic recovery and social welfare.
One could argue that New Deal policies significantly improved the lives of workers. The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) of 1933 introduced the National Recovery Administration (NRA), which aimed to stabilize prices and improve working conditions in factories. The NIRA allowed for greater bargaining power for workers over wages and working hours, and it introduced the first federal minimum wage. Businesses were encouraged to draw up voluntary codes to regulate these factors and keep workers employed, with the patriotic symbol of the Blue Eagle used to promote consumer purchases from compliant businesses. The NIRA also contributed to a reduction in child labor and improved working conditions for some. Furthering workers' rights, the Wagner Act in 1935 provided government recognition of labor unions and supported their formation. This act outlawed unfair labor practices and established the National Labor Board to mediate disputes between unions and management. Lastly, the Social Security Act offered a safety net for workers by introducing insurance schemes for the unemployed and those unable to work due to illness. It also provided pensions for widows and the elderly.
However, the effectiveness and reach of these policies were limited. The NRA, despite its initial success, was declared unconstitutional in 1935, significantly impacting its ability to enforce fair labor practices. Furthermore, the NRA primarily benefited larger firms while smaller businesses struggled to comply. Similarly, some businesses ignored the provisions of the Wagner Act, limiting its impact on worker protection. The Social Security Act, while groundbreaking, did not cover all workers, particularly women, and provided only short-term insurance.
Ultimately, other New Deal policies aimed at broader economic recovery and social welfare proved to be more significant. Programs such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), the Resettlement Administration (RA), and the Farm Security Administration (FSA) focused on revitalizing the agricultural sector and aiding struggling farmers. For the unemployed, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Civil Works Administration (CWA), and the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided jobs for skilled workers, young Americans, and some Black Americans, creating millions of jobs by 1934. The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) spent $500 million on direct relief efforts, while the Emergency Banking Act (EBA) aimed to stabilize the banking system by closing unstable banks and providing support when they reopened. The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulated stock market activity, preventing future economic crises. These programs, while not directly focused on workers' rights, had a significant impact on improving living standards and creating employment opportunities for a wide range of Americans.
In conclusion, while New Deal policies did attempt to improve the lives of workers, their impact was limited by factors such as constitutionality issues, limited reach, and outright defiance by some businesses. The more significant aspects of the New Deal focused on addressing the broader economic crisis and providing relief to various segments of the population, including farmers, the unemployed, and the poor. These programs, by fostering economic recovery and creating widespread employment opportunities, ultimately had a more profound and lasting impact on the lives of American workers than policies specifically targeting labor rights.
**Sources:**
"The United States, 1919–41". History Essay
Note: History Study Pack Required
Score Big with Perfectly Structured History Essays!
Prepare effortlessly for your A/AS/O-Level exams with our comprehensive...
History Study Pack.
✅ 1200+ Model Essays: Master your essay writing with expertly crafted answers to past paper questions.
✅ Exam Boards Covered: Tailored materials for AQA, Cambridge, and OCR exams.
🍃 Free Essay Plan
Essay Outline: How Significant Were New Deal Worker Policies?
This essay will argue that while policies aimed at improving the lives of workers were a significant feature of the New Deal, their impact was ultimately limited and other aspects of the program played a more crucial role in addressing the Great Depression.
I. Introduction
The New Deal, enacted under President Franklin D. Roosevelt, sought to alleviate the devastating effects of the Great Depression through a variety of programs and policies.
While many initiatives tackled different aspects of the crisis, this essay will examine the significance of those specifically designed to improve the lives of workers.
II. Argument for Significance of Worker-Focused Policies
The New Deal implemented several key policies aimed at directly benefiting workers.
A. National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)
The NIRA attempted to stabilize the economy and improve working conditions through the National Recovery Administration (NRA).
This act encouraged businesses to adopt codes that established minimum wages, maximum working hours, and improved working conditions.
The use of the Blue Eagle as a patriotic symbol encouraged consumer support for businesses complying with the NRA codes.
Despite its eventual demise, the NIRA represented a significant step towards federal intervention in labor rights and economic regulation.
B. Wagner Act
The Wagner Act of 1935 solidified workers' rights to organize and collectively bargain through unions.
It outlawed unfair labor practices and established the National Labor Relations Board to mediate disputes between management and unions.
This act marked a turning point in labor relations, empowering workers and contributing to the growth of organized labor.
C. Social Security Act
The Social Security Act provided a safety net for workers facing unemployment, disability, and old age.
Although limited in scope, it laid the foundation for a social security system that would become a cornerstone of American social welfare.
D. Works Progress Administration (WPA)
The WPA provided employment opportunities for millions of unskilled workers, allowing them to earn a wage while contributing to public projects.
By directly addressing unemployment, the WPA provided relief and restored dignity to countless individuals and families.
III. Counterargument: Limitations of Worker-Focused Policies & Significance of other Programs
Despite their positive contributions, New Deal policies aimed at workers faced limitations and ultimately played a lesser role compared to other initiatives.
A. Limited Reach and Effectiveness of Worker Policies
The NRA, while ambitious, proved difficult to enforce and was declared unconstitutional in 1935.
Many businesses, particularly smaller ones, remained outside the purview of the NRA codes.
The Wagner Act, although groundbreaking, faced resistance from some businesses who ignored its provisions.
Similarly, the Social Security Act initially excluded many workers, including women and minorities.
B. Significance of other New Deal programs
The New Deal encompassed a broader range of programs that played a more significant role in addressing the crisis.
Programs like the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), and the Farm Security Administration (FSA) tackled the plight of farmers, a critical segment of the Depression-era economy.
The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Civil Works Administration (CWA), and the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided millions of jobs across different skill levels, contributing significantly to unemployment relief.
Initiatives like the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) offered direct aid to the poor.
Banking reforms, such as the Emergency Banking Act (EBA) and the establishment of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), addressed the financial crisis and stabilized the banking system, which was crucial for overall economic recovery.
IV. Conclusion
While policies aimed at improving the lives of workers constituted a significant aspect of the New Deal, their overall impact was limited by various factors.
The broader range of programs addressing agricultural distress, unemployment across different demographics, and financial instability proved more impactful in combating the Great Depression.
Nonetheless, the worker-focused policies of the New Deal laid the groundwork for future advancements in labor rights and social welfare programs.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
How significant a feature of the New Deal were policies aimed at improving the lives of workers? Explain your answer.
Yes
⭐The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) introduced the National Recovery Administration (NRA) which aimed to stabilise prices and improve working conditions in factories.
⭐The NRA allowed for more bargaining power over wages and working hours and introduced the first federal minimum wage.
⭐It allowed businesses to draw up voluntary codes to regulate prices, hours and pay to keep workers in jobs.
⭐The use of the Blue Eagle as a patriotic symbol encouraged consumers to buy products from these businesses.
⭐The NRA reduced incidents of child labour and improved working conditions for some.
⭐The Wagner Act in 1935 supported workers' rights to form trade unions and government officially recognised them.
⭐The Act outlawed unfair practices and set up the National Labour Relations Board to act as a referee between unions and management.
⭐The Social Security Act introduced insurance schemes for unemployed and sick workers, provided pensions for widows and the elderly.
⭐The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided jobs for unskilled workers etc.
No
⭐The NRA was declared unconstitutional in 1935.
⭐It failed to affect all businesses, mainly larger firms.
⭐Some businesses ignored the Wagner Act.
⭐Insurance was not available to women and only provided short term insurance.
⭐Policies aimed at farmers were more significant, such as the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), the Resettlement Administration (RA) and the Farm Security Administration (FSA).
⭐The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the Civil Works Administration (CWA) and the Public Works Administration (PWA) provided jobs to skilled workers, young Americans and some black Americans – 4 million jobs were created by 1934.
⭐The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) spent $500 million on relief banks.
⭐The Emergency Banking Act (EBA) closed unstable banks and gave support to banks when reopened.
⭐The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) regulated stock market activity etc.