Introduction
Between 1933 and 1939, President Roosevelt endorsed the New Deal programs in the United States to counter the effects of the great depression through programs, financial reforms, public work projects, and regulations. These programs answered the needs of Americans in recovery, reform, and relief after facing the economic meltdown (Berkin et al. 727). The New Deal programs comprised of the following: Social Security Administration (SSA), Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), Farm Security Administration (FSA), National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), and Civil Work Administration (CWA).
The New Deal also involved new restrictions that protected the banking industry and struggled to re-inflate the economy when the price had dropped suddenly. During the first term presidency of Roosevelt, the New Deal program included both presidential executive orders and Congress’s laws. These laws aimed at ensuring recovery for the economy, aid for the poor and unemployed, and change in the financial system. This essay examines some of the new deals put in place after the great depression that helped stabilize the economy, catered to civilians, and cushioned America against another economic downturn.
Civil Works Administration (CWA)
CWA was among the New Deal programs, which took a shorter period and was created to offer jobs to the millions of unemployed workers; mostly, it dealt with manual jobs. Under the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, the CWA was created primarily to improve infrastructure by constructing bridges and buildings. The CWA undertook projects that included building public structures, parks, utility systems, and roads. In rural areas, labor was directed towards community schools and transportation. The contracts ran from 1933 to March 1934 where they provided jobs for 4 million people (Berkin et al. 731). The CWA was criticized for providing useless jobs for people such as moving dirt from one location to another.
The United States Social Security Administration (SSA)
The Social Security Act, which is still in operation today, was enacted in 1935 as a separate function of the federal government. The program has undergone many changes in terms of payment methods, medical coverage, and also introduced allowances that corresponded to the cost of living. SSA also runs a social insurance program that enables people who have retired, those with disabilities, and the next of kin of former employees or retirees to be compensated and afford their basic needs entirely. Social Security Taxes were paid on the earnings for one to qualify for the benefits earned by SSA (Berkin et al. 734). Over the years, various reforms have been made to reduce the number of benefits to keep the trust funds from declining.
Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
The CCC functioned between 1933 and 1942 as a voluntary public work relief program catering mainly to the unemployed and unmarried men from seventeen to twenty-eight years of age. CCC delivered physical labor works associated with developing and conserving the environment in the countryside areas (Berkin et al. 732). This was the main aim of President Franklin D. Roosevelt in reaching the countryside owners through the state, local, and federal governments.
During the Great Depression in the United States, CCC was formed to relieve families from difficulties and provide young men with jobs. The recruitment involved enrolling three thousand people at a time. The CCC led to a better appreciation and awareness of natural resources. It has continued its comprehensive national program to protect and develop natural resources, thus improving the environment. Moreover, through the CCC, about 35,000 men learned how to read and write (Berkin et al. 732). By 1942, with the beginning of World War II, the demand for work relief declined; hence, Congress took over and voted to close the program.
Conclusion
The New Deal programs were effective and served as an example for other United States presidents to follow in President Roosevelt’s footsteps. The economy was stabilized through the reforms and projects that were put in place, whereas employment opportunities ensured Americans did not lack basic needs. Through these new deal programs, the general welfare of the society was taken care of and still continues today as is the case of the Social Security Act.
Work Cited
Berkin, Carol, et al. Making America: A History of the United States Volume II: Since 1865. 5th ed., Wadsworth Publishing, 2014.