The New Deal

            In the early 1930's, the Great Depression left an astounding number of Americans stranded in a sea of economic collapse. People were unemployed, lacking money to fulfill simple needs. After Roosevelt was inaugurated, he promised a "New Deal" which would rid the effects of the depression. However, to what extent was the New Deal proposed by Roosevelt able to facilitate economic recovery through its enactments?.
             The scope considers how the New Deal, through several enactments, made many attempts to provide relief, reform, and recovery. The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Social Security Act were able to employ 2.5 million young Americans and provide unemployment insurance and old-age pensions. The Wages and Hours Act and the National Industrial Recovery Act provided minimum wages, maximum work hours, and gave workers the right to form unions and bargains with employers. This lead to an increase in income and spending money for laborers; therefore, stimulating economic recovery. The Banking Acts of 1933 and 1935 reformed banks, making them more reliable. The Farm Relief and Inflation Act gave Roosevelt power to control inflation. This would allow him to inflate or deflate the dollar value to suit the needs of the country. The First and Second Agricultural Adjustment Acts resuscitated thousands of farms. These acts also helped farmers raise the purchasing power of farm products.
             These enactments under the New Deal unquestionably saved the American economy. Aspects of a Laissez-Faire capitalist economy were set aside for the introduction of the New Deal. Although the economy did not recover to the same extent of the "Roaring 20's," it was enough to save the economy from utter devastation.