This program was a federal program which worked at the more minor levels. It gave money to state and local governments which was put towards the creation of public works. This not only employed disgruntled workers but also enhanced the communities with bridges, roads, and dams. .
The greatest of these programs was successful in employing 3.4 million Americans. The WPA or Works Progress Administration followed suit in creating works to better the entire public. Roosevelt also created many smaller programs such as the Civilian Works Administration, National Youth Administration, and Tennessee Valley Administration. While each and every one of these programs was highly successful in alleviating the rising unemployment rate by the mid to late 1930's, they also caused some congressional and public grumbles. The government was spending an enormous amount of funds to ensure the success of these programs, not to mention it was becoming more and more controlling. .
Following the recovery plan, the second part of Roosevelt's plan to please the unemployed was a series of relief and caretaking institutions. These organizations would focus on giving money and aide to the less fortunate and unemployed. The first of these organizations was the Federal Emergency Relief Agency. This federally run organization gave grants which the states would distribute among their own people. Another federally run organization was the Social Security Act. This was a completely evolutionary idea. Workers would set aside a percentage of their weekly pay for the future, when they were older or found themselves unemployed. Both of these systems were extremely controversial. The first was criticized for blatantly giving away federal money. This caused the nation's debt to increase at an astounding rate. To many it seemed as if the government was giving handouts to those to lazy and unwilling to work. They complained that a sympathetic and unnecessary welfare program would hinder the economic success and growth of the nation.