The New Deal
In the 1930s the “American way of life” left many people in great poverty; there was no “safety net” to help the sick, the old or unemployed.
In1932 during the electoral campaign two men with very different programs run for the White House. Download the paper to know the candidates and their main ideas
In January 1933 Franklin Delano Roosevelt became president of the US. He wanted to change the American way by helping the poor people. He called it the New Deal.
Listen to the audio and check your understanding: download the worksheet and answer the questions
Read the texts below before doing the assignments
The first New Deal
In contrast to Hoover, Roosevelt did appear care. He inspired confidence, both in the financial markets and among the poor. Confidence was important in restoring normality on the Stock Exchange and in financial life generally.
After reading, let’s make the point: download the paper and match the statements as required
The second New Deal
Not everyone, however, was enamoured of the New Deal. In 1935 the Supreme Court started to dismantle some of the programs of the first New Deal in a series of cases … keep going reading downloading the text
Now its up to you
Writing activity
Get your knowledge deeper: check the differences between the first New Deal and the second New Deal, following these hints:
→ Aims of both phases
→ Description of two key features of the Alphabet Agencies
→ Description of two key features of the Social Security Act
Write a report of not less than 200 words
The opposition to the New Deal
The cumulative effect of programs of the Second New Deal led to creation of the New Deal Coalition, made up of union members, urbanities, the underclass, and blacks (who had previously voted Republican, out of loyalty to the party of Lincoln). This new Democratic coalition swept Roosevelt back into office with a landslide victory in 1936, when Roosevelt won the presidential election with an astounding 27 million votes. Only 16 million voted Republican.
Who was against the New Deal?
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Final assignment
What is your opinion about the New Deal Program?
Write an essay (not less than 200 words) explaining your evaluation about the Roosevelt’s policy: was it effective in tackling poverty and economic crisis? Did it work or not? Which were the strong and the weak points of the program?
Support your opinion and justify your statements with solid arguments.