U.S. History
Did the New Deal End the Great Depression
New Deal Programs
Emergency Banking Act-established a bank holiday early on in 1933 that stopped
massive bank withdrawals and helped banks to catch their breath. Allowed the
government to examine which banks were strong enough to re-open. It also gave FDR a
chance to get people to reinvest in banks, thus saving many banks from closing.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)-This reform insured each bank deposit
up to $2,500, and helped to reestablish trust in the banking system. The FDIC is still
around today and insures deposits up to $100,000
Farm Credit Administration 1933- provided low interest, long term loans to farmers.
This helped farmers to pay off mortgages and overdue taxes, and purchase much needed
seed, fertilizer and equipment
Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) 1933- provided direct relief to the
nations unemployed in the form of money. Sort of like our welfare system today!
Civil Works Administration(CWA)1933- provided jobs for the unemployed, mostly
raking leaves or digging ditches.
Civilian Conservation Corps(CCC)1933- aided unemployed young men by training
them in army camps then sending them out into the nation’s national forests to plant
trees, clear brush, lay out park trails and develop campgrounds and beaches.
Public Works Administration(PWA) 1933- provided jobs and stimulated business
activity by contracting with private firms to construct roads, public buildings, and other
public work projects
Agricultural Adjustment Act(AAA) 1933- paid farmers to reduce their production of
cotton, wheat, tobacco, dairy products, and other commodities. By reducing production it
helped raise prices for these products, thus making more money for the farmers.
Tennessee Valley Authority(TVA) 1933-as close to socialism as the New Deal ever got.
It helped the hard hit region of the Tennessee Valley through the government control of
utilities in the area. It built 38 dams and several power stations that provided cheap
electricity, flood control and recreational facilities for the people of the region!
Works Progress Administration(WPA) 1935- over 8 years employed 14 million
people, built 350 airports, more than 100,000 public buildings, 78,000 bridges, and about
500,000 miles of roads
National Youth Administration(NYA) 1935-gave young people part-time jobs that
provided money for them to stay in school.
Social Security Act 1935-Provided unemployment insurance to people who lost their
jobs. Provided pensions for retired workers over the age of 65, provided payments to the
blind, disabled and elderly and to wives and children of male workers who had died.
This program is still in use today.
Revenue Act of 1935-increased taxes on the wealthy and corporations who made profits
of more than 10%.
Wagner-Connery Act 1935-recognized the rights to form organized labor, which in turn
help to bring workers better wages and working conditions.
Farm Security Administration(FSA) 1937- made low interest loans to farmers to buy
farms. Helped to bring many farmers who had left farming back into farming and out of
the ranks of the unemployed in the cities.
Fair Labor Standards Act 1938- established a minimum wage(at then 40 cents an hour)
and a maximum work week of 40 hours for business in interstate commerce.