The Second New deal Takes HoldChapter 15-2

The Second Hundred Days

Although the economy had improved during FDR’s first two years in office he was seeking a way to continue building on what was already established

The unemployment rate remained high & production levels remained low

Nevertheless the New Deal remained very popular & FDR would launch a second burst of activity known as the Second New Deal

Under the Second New Deal FDR called for Congress to enact legislation that would provide more extensive relief for the farmer as well as workers

FDR would be prodded by his wife, Eleanor, who would travel the country reminding the President of the suffering of America's people

Reelecting FDR

The Second New Deal was underway by the time the 1936 election rolled around

The election would pit Alfred Landon of the Republican party against FDR & the Democrats

The election was no contest as FDR won an overwhelming victory as well as victories in the House & Senate

The 1936 election was a great vote of confidence for FDR as it marked the first time that a majority of African Americans as well as labor unions had voted Democratic rather than Republican

Focusing on Farms

When the AAA was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1936 it was replaced by the Soil Conservation & Domestic Allotment Act

This act would reward farmers who practiced soil conservation

Two years later a new AAA was passed which carried many of the same provisions that the first did

The exception was the processing tax which the SC declared unconstitutional in the first AAA

Also created was the Resettlement Administration which would provide cash for small farmers to buy land

The administration would be replaced in 1937 with the Farm Security Administration which would continue the policies of the Resettlement Administration

FDR Extends Relief

Under the Second New Deal the Works Progress Administration (WPA) would be set up with the purpose of creating as many jobs as quickly as possible

Between 1935-1943 more than 8 million workers would be employed

They would build air ports, roads & streets, & public buildings

Women would be employed as seamstress as they would create more than 300 million garments for the needy

The program would produce many beneficial public works as well as create a lasting sense of value & hope to a nation of workers, it gave the common man a sense of pride & dignity

FDR Extends Relief

In addition professionals were employed to write guides to cities & historical narratives, paint murals, & preform in theaters around the country

To assist the youth the National Youth Administration (NYA) with the goal of providing education, jobs, counseling, & recreation

The NYA also provided direct aid to high school, college, & graduate students, in exchange students would work part time positions at their school

Improving Labor Conditions

The Second new Deal would bring about many new laws that would benefit the everyday worker as well as those retired

One of the very first pieces of legislation that was passed in the Second New Deal was the Wagner Act of National Labor Relations Act

The act would establish the right to collective bargaining or the right of the union The act also prohibited employers from threatening workers who supported the

union The National Labor Relations Board was set up to hear testimony about unfair labor

practices as well as to hold elections to see if employees wanted to join a union Also passed was the Fair Labor Standards Act which set the maximum weekly hours

at 44 per week & would lower it to 40 after 2 years Minimum wage was also set at $.25 an hour rising to $.40 in 1945 Working conditions were also established for handling hazardous materials & those

under 16

The Social Security Act

One of the most important aspects of the New Deal was the creation of the Social Security System

The Social Security Act contained 3 major parts

1. Old age insurance for those 65 or older

2. Unemployment compensation

3. Aid to dependent children & the disabled

Expanding & Regulating Utilities

The second New Deal also regulated utilities as well as provided electricity for many rural areas

The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) was charged with this task

In 1935 only 12.5% of America’s farms had electricity

The figure would rise to 90% by 1949

Further legislation, The Public Utility Holding Company Act of 1935 also attempted to curb the corruption & graft of some utility companies