- franklin delano roosevelt

“It is common sense to take a method and try it. If it fails, admit

it frankly and try another. But above all, try something.”

- Franklin Delano Roosevelt

FDR and the New Deal

The Beginning of the New Deal• In his first 100 days FDR

promised to create government policies for the “forgotten man.”

• FDR declared a bank holiday to prevent people from withdrawing their savings and gold. (Executive order 6102 prohibited the hoarding of gold).

The New Deal

• Congress set aside $3 billion for public works projects. (roads, tunnels, housing).

• Congress also established guidelines for fair wages, hours and working conditions.

New Deal Worksheet• In groups of 4 – you will research and teach

the class about a particular New Deal program.

• Each group has one worksheet to turn in.• 4 roles: writer, reader, researcher, and

presenter.• You present to us and we fill out our

worksheet for our notes.• We start presenting in 30 minutes. Get going!

Fireside Chats

• FDR won the support of the American People for the New Deal by giving 13 “fireside chats”.

• Informal radio talks FDR delivered to millions of his “friends”.

Critics of the New Deal• Big Business and

conservative Democrats thought Roosevelt was being too socialist.

• Sec. of Agriculture complained that we were wasting food.

• (Dr. Francis Townsend—A self proclaimed advocate for senior citizens felt that FDR neglected the elderly).– (His followers were

called“Townsendites”).

The Legacy of the New Deal• In 1935, the US

Supreme Court declared that certain New Deal programs were unconstitutional (e.g. NIRA).

• Angered, Roosevelt wanted to pack the Supreme court with 6 additional judges. (Bad idea).

• New Deal drew to a close in 1938.

• FDR expanded the power of the Presidency, increased the role of the federal government, and advanced the role of women (e.g. Francis Perkins, Mary McLeod Bethune)

Did it work?• The New Deal was partially

effective in restoring America’s economic health.

• Unemployment dropped every year.

• Business failures decreased.• Unemployment was still 19%• Gross National Product

(GNP) grew at a sluggish rate.

• Federal debt increased.