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Roosevelt's Reforms During The Great Depression

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Once President Franklin Roosevelt was elected during the Great Depression, his first 100 days enacted what he called the New Deal. This “deal” was a series of reforms that were meant to increase available jobs, better the working conditions, and put money back into the economy. Jobs offered during this time, as well as the relief, recovery, and reform efforts gave a kick start to the American economy, helping to pull us out of the Great Depression. Some examples of these efforts can be seen in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the National Recovery Administration (NRA), and the Social Security Act (SSA). The relief effort that I chose, the Civilian Conservation Corps, was an effort to both conserve our natural resources as well as put young men between the ages of 18 and 25 back in work. The act employed 2.5 million—primarily white—men into …show more content…

The effort addressed the work hours, productivity, union memberships, minimum wage, and prices of services available. This program inevitably failed when the rules that were created were too long and specific to be enforced regularly and efficiently. Despite this, they still managed to have a few positive effects on society, such as helping end child labor in the textile business. Lastly, the Social Security Act was one of many reform efforts that sprung from the New Deal. This act was an attempt to provide general welfare for women and their children, those with disabilities such as blindness, older individuals, and public health, and helped financially support them while they were looking for work elsewhere. It was most common with elderly individuals, as they received what is known as “old-age pensions.” This was one of the few reforms that has stayed with us since the New Deal, and was economically successful in bringing America out of the Great

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