Roosevelt’s First Hundred Days: A Whirlwind of Action

1. The Setting:
- The Great Depression had gripped the U.S. for four years, leaving millions jobless, hungry, and hopeless.
- The previous president, Herbert Hoover, had failed to offer effective solutions, leading to widespread dissatisfaction and anxiety.
- Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) came into office in March 1933 promising a "New Deal" for the nation.

2. FDR’s Plan:
- FDR believed the government had a responsibility to intervene in the economy and provide relief to the suffering public.
- He launched a series of ambitious programs aimed at:
⭐Relief: Providing immediate aid to the unemployed, homeless, and hungry.
⭐Recovery: Rebuilding the economy by stimulating business and creating jobs.
⭐Reform: Preventing future economic crises by reforming banking, agriculture, and labor practices.

3. The First Hundred Days in Action:
- FDR called a special session of Congress and worked tirelessly to pass his agenda.
- Key Legislation:
⭐Emergency Banking Relief Act: Stabilized the banking system by closing failing banks and creating a system for federal oversight.
⭐Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA): Provided direct relief to states and cities to help the needy.
⭐Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Employed young men to work on conservation projects, like planting trees and building parks.
⭐Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Built dams and hydroelectric power plants to bring electricity and jobs to the impoverished Tennessee Valley.
⭐Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): Helped farmers by paying them to reduce crop production and raise prices.
⭐National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA): Established codes of fair competition for various industries to stabilize prices and wages.

4. Impact and Legacy:
- The First Hundred Days marked a dramatic shift in the role of government in American life.
- It provided immediate relief to millions and boosted public confidence in FDR's leadership.
- It laid the foundation for the New Deal, which transformed American society in significant ways.
- However, some programs, like the NIRA, were later declared unconstitutional.
- The First Hundred Days became a model for future administrations facing national crises, demonstrating the power of swift action and bold leadership.

The Progressive Era: A Time of Reform and Change

1. A Growing Sense of Unease:
- The late 19th and early 20th centuries in the U.S. saw rapid industrialization, urbanization, and technological advancements.
- This progress, however, also led to social problems such as:
⭐Growing gap between the rich and the poor: Industrialists amassed wealth while workers faced low wages and dangerous conditions.
⭐Corruption in government: Powerful business interests often influenced politicians and policies.
⭐Environmental degradation: Pollution and resource depletion became increasingly common.

2. The Progressive Movement:
- In response to these challenges, a diverse group of reformers, journalists, intellectuals, and activists emerged.
- They believed in progress through social reforms and government intervention to address these issues.
- The movement was characterized by:
⭐Muckrakers: Investigative journalists who exposed corruption and social injustice.
⭐Social Gospel Movement: Religious activists who advocated for social justice and reforms.
⭐Women's Suffrage Movement: Women fought for the right to vote, culminating in the passage of the 19th Amendment in 1920.
- Labor Unions: Organized workers fought for better wages, shorter working hours, and safer working conditions.

3. Key Reforms:
- The Progressive Era saw significant reforms:
⭐Regulation of Big Business: Laws were passed to break up monopolies, control the railroad industry, and protect consumers.
⭐Social Welfare Programs: Government programs were created to provide pensions for the elderly, aid for the disabled, and assistance to the poor.
⭐Civil Rights for African Americans: Although progress was slow, the era saw the rise of Black civil rights organizations and the fight against lynching.
⭐Environmental Protection: Laws were passed to protect natural resources and promote conservation.

4. Legacy of the Progressive Era:
- The Progressive Era left a lasting impact on American society:
It established the principle of government intervention in the economy and social issues.
It led to the creation of regulatory agencies, such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
It empowered ordinary citizens to demand change and participate in the political process.
It laid the groundwork for future social and political movements, including the New Deal and the Civil Rights Movement.

7.3 The New Deal: A New Era for America

1. Responding to the Great Depression:
- The Great Depression was a devastating economic crisis that began in 1929 and lasted throughout the 1930s.
- Millions of Americans lost their jobs, homes, and life savings.
- President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) took office in 1933 promising a "New Deal" to address the crisis.

2. The Three Rs of the New Deal:
- FDR's New Deal aimed to address the depression through a three-pronged approach:
⭐Relief: Immediate assistance to those suffering from unemployment and poverty.
⭐Recovery: Stimulating the economy and creating jobs to get America back on its feet.
⭐Reform: Making long-term changes to prevent future economic crises and protect citizens.

3. Key Programs:
- The New Deal implemented a wide range of programs, including:
⭐The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Provided jobs for unemployed young men in conservation projects.
⭐The Works Progress Administration (WPA): Created jobs for the unemployed in public works projects, like building roads, bridges, and schools.
⭐The Social Security Act: Created a system of social insurance providing pensions for the elderly, unemployment benefits, and aid for the disabled.
⭐The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA): Helped farmers by paying them to reduce crop production and raise prices.
⭐The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA): Developed the Tennessee Valley, providing electricity, flood control, and jobs.
⭐The National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act): Guaranteed workers the right to form unions and bargain collectively.

4. Impact and Legacy of the New Deal:
- The New Deal significantly reduced unemployment and poverty, and helped revive the economy.
- It expanded the role of government in social and economic affairs.
- It established a social safety net for vulnerable Americans, such as the elderly, disabled, and unemployed.
- It created lasting institutions like Social Security, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC), and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
- It influenced the development of future social welfare programs, like Medicare and Medicaid.
- Despite its successes, the New Deal also faced criticism:
Some argued that it was too interventionist and gave too much power to the government.
Others felt that it did not do enough to help African Americans and other marginalized groups.

5. Conclusion:
- The New Deal was a transformative period in American history. It demonstrated the government's ability to address economic crises and provide a social safety net for its citizens. It left a lasting legacy that continues to shape American society today.