The New Deal: Relief, Recovery, and Reform
Roosevelt's plan for bringing the American people out of the Great Depression was to focus on relief, recovery, and reform. He would develop a series of programs that would provide relief for those suffering from poverty, recovery to help the nation get back on its feet economically, and reform to prevent a similar economic situation in the future.
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WPA- Works Progress Administration
Established in 1935, this largest of the New Deal programs affected the lives of millions of Americans. It provided jobs for unemployed people, and simultaneously allowed for the development of American infrastructure by creating jobs in the construction of roadways and buildings. The WPA also supported the work of artists, academics, and others in such activities as recording American history, creating public art, and sponsoring public musical performances. (Relief and Recovery organization)
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CCC- Civilian Conservation Corps
TVA- Tennessee Valley Authority
Established in 1933 to bring life back to the Tennessee River Valley, the TVA supported farmers in investigating modern farming practices, and created a network of dams and power plants that supplied electricity to a large region that had never seen it before. Still in existence today, the TVA continues to work to provide power to the region while managing its natural resources. (Recovery and Reform organization)
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But there were still some people who did NOT approve of the New Deal...
Thinking back to why the United States separated from England, it is important to remember that many Americans have always felt that the federal government should have limited power. The New Deal stretched the Constitutional limits of the president and implemented many organizations and forms of government aid that some felt to be too much. There were many opponents to the New Deal who felt that the federal government and the President were working outside of the Constitutional limits to their power. Regardless, the New Deal continued and is considered by many to have been a successful route to ending the Great Depression.