The New Deal programs affected Americans and popular culture in varying ways.

African-Americans

Mexican-Americans

American Indians

Women

Artists and Writers

Popular Culture

Black Cabinet = African-American members of FDR’s Cabinet (FDR put more African-Americans in federal offices than any President before him)

African-Americans eventually supported FDR, the New Deal programs, and the Democratic party

Many New Deal programs favored whites over blacks

No civil rights legislation in the New Deal

Still faced legal segregation and intense racism

Thousands of Mexicans had been immigrating to the USA since 1900

Faced severe discrimination – especially in the South West

Many served as migrant workers – accepting less pay than other Americans

Agreement between the USA and Mexico encouraged Mexicans to return to Mexico

American Indians had gained citizenship rights in 1924

Indian Reorganization Act (1934) – reestablished tribal ownership of reservation lands and allowed for tribal/communal living

Federal loans for Indian businesses

Federal subsidies for land development and agricultural conservation

Government encouragement for tribal festivals

Frances Perkins = first female Cabinet member

First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt = model for politically active and highly educated women

NRA codes for working conditions and wages applied to women

WPA projects created specifically for women

                                                            

“Protest” artists = used art to speak out against injustice and criticize the government and capitalism

“Regionalist” artists = focused on the heroism in average Americans and beauty in simple country life

Writers tried to capture the experiences of the average American through narratives

John Steinbeck = The Grapes of Wrath, Of Mice and Men

Robert Frost = Two Tramps in Mud Time

Radio = big band music, news reports, sporting events, political speeches, serial programs

Drama – Lux Radio Theater, March of Time

Comedy – Fibber McGee and Molly

Movies = Shirley Temple, Great Garbo, Cary Grant, Gary Cooper

Themes – “good triumphs over evil” and “everything works out in the end”

Comic Strips = Dick Tracy, Lil’ Abner, Krazy Kat