Question

How did the New Deal alter the role of the national government? In your answer, discuss specific New Deal reforms. essay

Answer 1

New Deal reforms were brought about by Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor of New York in 1932 to 1939.

Role of the national government as per this New Deal and related Reforms are as follows:

1) The objective of the national government became to get the country rid of depression via banking reform laws, emergency relief programs, work relief programs, and agricultural programs

2) Launch of union protection programs, the Social Security Act, and programs to aid tenant farmers and migrant workers, became government prerogative. They provided support for farmers, the unemployed, youth and the elderly.

3)The programs focused on "3 Rs" principles: (i) relief for the unemployed and poor, (ii) recovery of the economy back to normal levels, and (iii) reform of the financial system to prevent a repeat depression

4) During the First New Deal (1933–1934) , the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) provided $500 million for relief operations by states and cities, while the short-lived Civil Works Administration (CWA) gave locals money to operate Make-work projects in 1933–1934

5) The Securities Act of 1933 was enacted to prevent a repeated stock market crash.

6) The Second New Deal in 1935–1936 led to protection of labor organization

7) The  Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938 was passed, which set maximum hours and minimum wages for most categories of workers.

Hence, New Deal programs as observed by Roosevelt helped improve the lives of people suffering from the events of the depression. In the long run, these programs set a precedent for the federal government to play a key role in the economic and social affairs of the nation.