Having gone through severe unemployment, food shortages, and a seemingly remiss President Hoover, the American people were beginning to lose hope. But sentiments began to turn as FDR stepped into office and implemented his New Deal programs. FDR and his administration responded to the crisis by executing policies that would successfully address reform, relief, and, unsuccessfully, recovery. Although WWII ultimately recovered America from its depression, it was FDR’s response with the New Deal programs that stopped America’s economic downfall, relieved hundreds of Americans, reformed many policies, and consequently expanded government power.
One of FDR’s first orders of business was to respond to the need of reforming the banking system. FDR created the Emergency Banking Act that shut down all banks across the US and only allowed them to reopen upon government inspection. This proved effective as Americans began to restore their trust in the banking system. The EBA also demonstrated how government power was expanding, as the program allowed the government to ignore states’ and businesses’ rights to shut down the banks. In Document G, John L. Lewis praises the Wagner Act, which was FDR’s response to the “widespread labor unrest”. The Wagner Act addressed the concerns of workers over their rights as union members and ability to collectively bargain. The act proved effective as labor unrest began to dwindle. FDR took this chance to once again increase the government’s power by creating the National Labor Relations Board. The NLRB enforced the terms of the Wagner Act. The Wagner Act changed the role of the government by implying that social justice was now also on the government’s agenda of what to provide to citizens, in addition to political rights and economic security. Document E shows another instance of reform provided by FDR and his administration: social security. In response to Townsend and his followers, FDR created the Social Security Act which gave pensions to old-age workers, along with many other benefits to citizens. The effectiveness of Social Security was only satisfactory, as it failed to help farmers and domestic workers. Yet, it implanted hope into millions of Americans for the well-being of their future and the capitalist system. The Social Security Act was also revolutionary in changing the government’s role by showing how a citizen’s welfare was now also part of the government’s responsibility. All these new programs and organizations created by the New Deal show how they greatly expanded the government’s power and influence, as shown in Document C. In Document C, the cartoon shows how FDR’s New Deal was a progression of small change that consequently led to an expansion of government power. The New Deal’s many reform programs provided a foundation for America to build off of.
FDR’s New Deal also sought out to provide relief for Americans. Unemployment rates were high and poverty was widespread. To solve these problems, FDR created many programs and organizations, such as the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), the Civil Works Administration (CWA), the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Document A shows how poor women, and also men, were barely assisted by the government. Urban unemployment represented a big problem in the US. To solve the unemployment issue, FDR implemented the CWA, which gave jobs to many people to build or repair roads, buildings, and other structures. This was very effective because it not only dealt with the problem of unemployment, but it also improved the deteriorating parts of the country. Unfortunately, public works programs like these greatly increased the national debt, as well. The CCC functioned in the same way, providing millions of jobs to unemployed workers for maintaining and restoring the environment. The Federal Emergency Relief Program revitalized local relief programs by giving them funding. All of these programs were in the First New Deal and according to Document J, the New First Deal dropped unemployment about twenty-five percent from 12,830,000 unemployed to 7,700,000 unemployed, thus proving the effectiveness of these relief programs. The creation of such programs also expanded the role of government by demonstrating that the government could have a large bureaucracy. The numerous programs FDR implemented were all run by the bureaucracy, thus the “bureaucracy in Washington grew by leaps and bounds” according to William Lloyd Garrison, Jr. in Document D.
One of the issues the New Deal did not completely heal was recovery, which would be taken care of by WWII. Two of FDR’s chief recovery programs, the National Industrial Recovery Act of June 1933 (NIRA) and the Agriculture Adjustment Administration (AAA) were repealed because they were viewed as unconstitutional. In Document D, Garrison says that some New Deal programs “retarded the recovery of industrial activity.” This was true in the case of the NIRA, as it promoted a cycle of overproduction and underproduction and set in many complicated codes. Document F also shows how the government’s powers have been expanded too much. In the Document, the court ends up ruling against NIRA because it expanded government powers. Although the role of government had been increased by other New Deal programs, NIRA crossed the line for many of the justices on the Supreme Court. The AAA was also one of the programs that “retarded the recovery of industrial activity”. The AAA attempted to increase farm prices by paying farmers not to overproduce, thus keeping the prices stable. But millions of Americans were still starving, so it made more sense to the public to give the surplus of food to the starving Americans. The AAA was deemed unconstitutional because it expanded the power of government too much. Under the AAA, the agriculture sector was viewed as a “creeping socialism”, as the government regulated what to produce and how much of it. The government’s role in the economy was becoming much too interfering in the private sector. Document B reflects these fears, as it said “that the Administration at Washington is accelerating its (sic) pace towards socialism…” Under FDR, Congress was made rubber stamp and FDR’s policies went through undisputed. Therefore, many of FDR’s “socialist” policies ended up becoming implemented. The judiciary reacted and shut down both NIRA and the AAA because they not only proved impractical, but also tried to greatly expand the role of the government.
Overall, FDR’s response to the crisis in America proved beneficial to many Americans, at least for the short term. As Document J demonstrates, it was WWII that truly solved the problem of depression and spurred America’s recovery. However, FDR’s New Deal impacted the future of America mentally. It instilled trust for FDR and his leadership which would be critical as America was heading into WWII, and FDR would have to serve three terms. As Document H states, “the government as an instrument of democratic action in the future has…been strengthened and renovated.”
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Friday, March 23, 2012
Tuesday, March 20, 2012
FDR, Hoover DBQ Thesis
To compare FDR and Hoover America Hoover America switched over to FDR, who was the polar opposite of Hoover
Monday, March 5, 2012
FRQ- What fears did Americans have after the Great War and how were these manifested? FRQ- What fears did Americans have after the Great War and how were these manifested? What fears did Americans have after the Great War and how were these manifested?
Instead of feeling of secure after the First Great War, America plunged into a state of hysteria and fear. Job issues, the Red Scare, and racial riots were the causes of the terror felt by many Americans. This was shown through many outlets, such as strikes, riots, and even small-scale warfare. The domestic tension built up during the Great War was finally shattered during the post-war period and led many Americans to act out of character.
After the Great War, workers sought to gain back the purchasing power they had lost due to inflation. There was also a shortage of jobs as returning veterans began to demand more jobs. Inflation and other policies kept wages low, while certain jobs required workers to continue working long hours. Simultaneously, employers tried to stop and reverse the wartime advancements that labor unions had made. As tensions rose, many workers feared that the conditions would not improve. In 1919 alone, there were over 4 million workers that went on strike. By August 1919, 400,000 Eastern/Midwestern coal miners, 120,000 New England textile workers, and 50,000 New York gardeners walked out. The fact that many of these strikes were headed by union members of Russian and Eastern European background fueled the American public’s fear that they were radicals trying to over throw the government. As a result, the public began resenting and opposing the strikes. Two instances in which public fear of strikes ended up causing the failure of the strike was the when the policemen in Boston went on strike, and when the steelworkers of the Midwest went on strike. After the Boston policemen walked out, there was public outcry. Who was going to protect the city? When will there be a police force again? The public’s fear was fueled by the rioting and looting that ensued. When 300,000 steelworkers in the Midwest went on strike, it was the cunning of the industry leaders that ended up suppressing the strike. They used propaganda to shift public opinion against the strike leaders, who were portrayed as dangerous radicals that sought to end democracy and freedom. Once again, the public’s fear flared; the lack of public support led to the strike’s collapse. The fear felt by workers and the public led them to act differently, especially regarding strikes.
The Red Scare and radicalism fears shook America to its core. Similar to how dissent was repressed during the Great War by the sedition laws, radicalism was quelled post-Great War. In response to the panic, the American Legion was formed. The Legion took upon itself to identify seditious individuals and groups. Thirty-three states also passed sedition laws to punish revolution advocates. Americanization campaigns were launched by public and private institutions; anything un-American was to be squashed and those caught showing anti-American points of views were to be “corrected” and made into loyal citizens. Even radical professors at colleges were fired from their posts. The IWW campaigners also experienced harsh violence as vigilante groups attacked them. The government got involved by passing anti-immigration laws to keep out foreigners, who they believed were the cause of so much radicalism. Attorney General Palmer launched what was known as the Palmer Raids. Although it was unsuccessful, as many as 600 captives of the raids were deported. Overall, there was a general sense of intolerance for criticism towards the government, as they were viewed as anarchist and revolutionary.
Blacks in post-Great War America were especially treated with hostility. Stressed from work, the poor wages, and the crowded living conditions, the white citizens of America were in no mood to deal with blacks. The blacks on the other hand, having just risked their lives for their country, expected to return home heroes and treated as equal citizens. When whites did not give them this, pressure rose, and all tension snapped during the racial riots. Chicago was one of the most infamous battle grounds, as whites and blacks fought throughout the summer of 1919, leaving 120 dead. Afterwards, the blacks feared that they would never obtain first-class citizen status. In response to this fear, Marcus Garvey led a movement symbolized by Black Nationalism. He told blacks everywhere to respect their own, rich culture. He also advocated for separatism and self-sufficiency among the black community. The fear that the blacks once had was now turned into an overwhelming sense of Black Nationalism. Garvey also founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA). It’s widely circulated newspapers and ocean vessels carrying UNIA flags brought about increased Black Nationalism and pride. Although the UNIA ended up dissolving, Black Nationalism would live on.
The hostility of the era led many Americans to show their darker sides. This was demonstrated through the increased hostility shown against foreigners, through raids and other means of violence. Usually supportive of strikes, the general public was swayed by the propaganda to fear the strikes caused by workers. Black Nationalism was also a direct consequence of the black’s fear that they would never obtain first-class citizen treatment. The tension eventually alleviated as America fell into a depression, and upon coming out of it, had to gear up for the second Great War.
FRQ- What were the reasons for the Red Scare and the upsurge of racial unrest that afflicted postwar America in 1919?
1919, America was a milieu of tension. Communist hysteria swamped through the public and caused mass hysteria. Racial riots had broken out in major cities. America seemed on the brink of disaster. How did America, after winning such a great victory in the Great War, fall into this state? How did the Red Scare and the race riots chill America so deeply? The roots of the Red Scare can be found in the Russian Revolution, while the roots of the race riots can be found in blacks who served in the Great War.
Radical sentiments were spreading among workers. People were calling for permanent nationalization of the coal mines and railroads; west coast longshoremen refused to supply the White Russians in their attempts to stop the Bolsheviks; one million Americans vote for Eugene Debs, the socialist candidate, in the 1920 election. The public’s communist fears became known as the Red Scare. There are many reasons why the Red Scare gripped so many Americans. After Communist radicals overthrew the Russian government and established the Soviet Union, the world now contained a great communist presence. The fact that the Russians were also supporting communist revolutions all over the world didn’t alleviate any nation’s fears. In 1919, the American Communist Party was founded, with many members from Russia and European descent. Americans immediately became fearful of the Communist Party. Were they going to overthrow the government? Are they supported by the Russians? Paranoia struck America, especially when the small group of radicals within the Communist Party, most of who were anarchists, began bombing numerous places. With the rise of the Russian Communist Party, the birth of the American Communist Party, and the anarchist bombings, though infrequent, the American public was immobilized with fear. Yet, many of their fears were unjustified. Most members of the American Communist Party did not seek to overthrow the government. Instead, they sought to influence the workers minds through education and strikes. The American Socialist Party was also severely fractured by the Russian Revolution, contrary to what many believed. The radical groups, of both the Communist Party and Socialist Party, were very small in number. Yet the bombings they did gripped America with fear; it seemed like the radicals were going to overthrow the government. At the height of fear for radicalism and the Red Scare, the American Legion was born. The Legion made sure that any seditious people or organizations were pointed out. Yet, the hysteria seemed to halt after the Palmer raids. The Palmer raids invaded houses in more than thirty-three cities in an attempt to uncover radical plots, and ultimately failed, the Americans began to question the validity of their hysteria. The rise of the Red Scare was built upon excessive paranoia, catalyzed by the recent Bolshevik uprising, formation of the American Communist Party, and the radical bombings. Yet, the paranoia lacked logic and reasoning, thus it collapsed.
Race riots in America post-World War I can see its roots traced back most recently to the fact that black Americans helped fight on behalf of America during World War I. The 400,000 blacks that returned home from the war expected to be treated as first class citizens; after all, they had just sacrificed their life for their country. Many even speculated on the birth of the “New Negro”. Unfortunately, that was not the case. Contrary to giving blacks jobs, managers fired blacks from their jobs to make way for the returning white servicemen. This forced blacks to find low wage jobs. The fact that conditions for blacks did not improve socially greatly upset many of them. Lynch mobs in the south even targeted many black veterans that refused to be called the regular derogatory names. Tensions escalated as blacks expected to be treated as first class citizens and as whites were bewildered as to why blacks expected to be treated as first class citizens. Whites also resented having to live so close to black neighborhoods. When the veterans returned home, many found the cities to become very crowded. These crowded conditions angered many whites, who refused to stoop so low as to live next to the blacks. Border tensions reached the breaking point in Chicago in July, 1919. White mobs invaded black neighborhoods, attacking everything and everyone. The expectations of the blacks to return home as equal citizens was met with the same white racism that had existed before the war, thus cooking up an atmosphere of great pressure that was bound to explode.
The results of World War I, such as the Bolshevik Revolution and the return of black servicemen, brought about the post-war tension felt throughout America. For the Red Scare, it seemed as if the Communist Party was going to overthrow the government. For the racial riots, the vision of the “New Negro” was neither accepted nor even contemplated by whites. Yet as America progressed into the future, these tensions would dissolve, and once again, it would have to unite to defeat the same enemy that it had faced in the first Great War: Germany, and its new leader, Adolf Hitler.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)