Final answer:
FDR's New Deal was a series of programs and laws implemented during the Great Depression designed to create jobs and foster economic growth. It introduced key initiatives like the Federal Emergency Relief Act and the Wagner-Peyser Act, as well as major public works projects to reduce unemployment. The New Deal significantly reshaped the role of the federal government in American society and the economy.
Step-by-step explanation:
President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's series of new laws and programs aimed at combating the Great Depression and revitalizing the American economy was known as the New Deal. The New Deal consisted of a variety of federally funded programs that were designed to create jobs, support economic recovery, and reform the financial system. Immediately after assuming office in 1933, Roosevelt set the New Deal in motion through an unprecedented flurry of legislation intended to provide urgent relief to the nation.
One of the earliest actions taken was the establishment of the Federal Emergency Relief Act (FERA), which allocated $500 million to states for immediate aid to the unemployed. This was followed by other significant initiatives such as the Wagner-Peyser Act, which laid the groundwork for the United States Employment Service, aimed at providing states with matching funds to create local job opportunities.
Major infrastructure projects were initiated to create a substantial number of jobs. This included the construction of schools, post offices, roads, and other public utilities. Furthermore, the New Deal also emphasized social welfare and established programs like Social Security to create a safety net for the elderly and the unemployed. Despite facing criticism from various corners, the New Deal provided temporary jobs and helped to stabilize banks, stock markets, and agricultural markets.
In 1935, amidst continued hardship, the Second New Deal was launched to intensify efforts. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) became a key component, employing millions in public works projects. Additionally, the Fair Labor Standards Act was passed, establishing minimum wage laws and regulating working conditions. These programs employed over eight million people and played a critical role in rejuvenating the American economy. Roosevelt's New Deal is credited with laying the foundation for modern social welfare in the United States and addressing the worst effects of the Great Depression.