Top Ten
Programs of the New Deal[1]
The Great
Depression was the largest and most significant economic depression to
affect not only America but also the world. The Stock Market Crash on October
29, 1929 is cited as the beginning of the Great Depression. Herbert
Hoover was president when the Crash occurred but felt that the government
should not become overly involved in helping individuals dealing with economic
troubles. However, this changed with the election of Franklin
Roosevelt. He worked to create numerous programs through his New Deal to
help those affected worst by the Depression. Following are the top ten programs
of the New Deal.
1.
CCC - Civilian Conservation Corps: The Civilian
Conservation Corps was created in 1933
by Franklin D. Roosevelt to combat unemployment. This work relief program had
the desired effect and provided jobs for many Americans during the Great
Depression. The CCC was responsible for building many public works and created
structures and trails in parks across the nation.
2.
CWA - Civil Works Administration: The Civil Works
Administration was created in 1933
to create jobs for the unemployed. Its focus on high paying jobs in the
construction arena resulted in a much greater expense to the federal government
than originally anticipated. The CWA ended in 1934 in large part due to
opposition to its cost.
3.
FHA - Federal Housing Administration (1934): The Federal
Housing Administration was a government agency created to combat the housing
crisis of the Great Depression. The large number of unemployed workers combined
with the banking crisis created a situation in which banks recalled loans. The
FHA was designed to regulate mortgages and housing conditions.
4.
FSA - Federal Security Agency: The Federal Security
Agency established in 1939 had the
responsibility for several important government entities. Until it was
abolished in 1953, it administered social security, federal education funding,
and food and drug safety.
5.
HOLC - Home Owner's Loan Corporation: The Home
Owner's Loan Corporation was created in
1933 to assist in the refinancing of homes. The housing crisis created a
great many foreclosures, and Franklin Roosevelt hoped this new agency would
stem the tide. In fact, between 1933 and 1935 one million people received long
term loans through the agency that saved their homes from foreclosure.
6.
NRA - National Recovery Act (1933): The National
Recovery Act was designed to bring the interests of working class Americans and
business together. Through hearings and government intervention the hope was to
balance the needs of all involved in the economy. However, the NRA was declared
unconstitutional in the landmark Supreme Court case Schechter Poultry Corp.
v. US. The Supreme Court ruled that the NRA violated the separation of
powers.
7.
PWA - Public Works Administration (1933): The Public
Works Administration was a program created to provide economic stimulus and
jobs during the Great Depression. The PWA was designed to create public works
and continued until the US ramped up wartime production for World War II. It
ended in 1941.
8.
SSA - Social Security Act (1935): The Social
Security Act was designed to combat the widespread poverty among senior
citizens. The government program provided income to retired wage earners. The
program has become one of the most popular government programs and is funded by
current wage earners and their employers. However, in recent years concerns
have arisen about the viability of continuing to fund the program as the Baby
Boom generation reaches retirement age.
9.
TVA - Tennessee Valley Authority: The Tennessee
Valley Authority was established in 1933
to develop the economy in the Tennessee Valley region which had been hit
extremely hard by the Great Depression. The TVA was and is a federally owned
corporation that works in this region to this day. It is the largest public
provider of electricity in the United States.
10.
WPA - Works Progress Administration: The Works
Progress Administration was created in 1935.
As the largest New Deal Agency, the WPA impacted millions of Americans. It
provided jobs across the nation. Because of it, numerous roads, buildings, and
other projects were completed. It was renamed the Works Projects Administration
in 1939. It officially ended in 1943.