NEW DEAL

New Deal Notes- Affects Many Groups• New Opportunities• Women– Gained important government positions• Frances Perkins- first female cabinet member

– Secretary of labor- role in creating Social Security

– Still faced discrimination in workplace and by employers• Minimum wage set lower

• African Americans – take key positions in government• Mary McLeod Bethune- educatorfocused on promoting opportunities for young African AmericansHired a “black cabinet” to advise Roosevelt on racial issues

• Eleanor Roosevelt played a key role in establishing these positions

• FDR did not promote full equality– Did not want to upset white Democratic voters in

the South

• Mexican-Americans– Faced discrimination but generally accepted

the New Deal programs• Native Americans– John Collier- commissioner of Indian affairs– Indian Reorganization Act (1934)- away from

assimilation and more towards their own autonomy• Economic- tribe owns land• Cultural- attend school on reservation• Political- elect tribal council to govern

• New Deal Coalition• an alignment of diverse groups dedicated to

supporting the Democratic Party• labor unions strengthen and members have

better working conditions and bargaining opportunities– some labor disputes ended in sit-down strikes-

instead of walking off the job they remained inside and did not work

– Republic Steel plant in Chicago- Memorial Day Massacre- where police attack striking workers (10 killed, 84 wounded)

IMPACT OF THE NEW DEAL:• NEW DEAL REFORMS– By 1937, the economy had improved slightly and new

deal programs were scaled back. • Industrial production dropped• Some began to criticize the program for extending government

power too much– Felt took away freedom

– The federal government set up many agencies to help regulate the economy• Federal Insurance Corporation (FDIC) helped regulate banking

and investment activities– Insured depositors that savings were protected even if a bank failed

– The New Deal did not end the Great Depression but did lessen the suffering of thousands• WWII will officially end the depression

• LASTING REFORMS– Standards were set for wages and hours, child

labor was banned, and workers could collectively bargain • National Labor Relations Board acts as a mediator

in labor disputes– Securities and Exchange Commission monitors

the stock market and enforces laws regarding stock selling stocks and bonds– Social Security-helped needy Americans

receive assistance• Old-age insurance program, unemployment

compensation, and disability