The New Deal Offers Relief

In 1933, at the height of the Great Depression, Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced his plan to pull the U.S. out of this economic crisis: the New Deal.  The New Deal brought hope to a time when people were struggling to meet subsistence needs for themselves and their families.  Although there were several initiatives associated with the New Deal, the most emphasized goal was Relief for the American People.

Roosevelt started with the relief of 25% of eligible workers: the Unemployment Relief Act.  On March 31, 1933 congress passed this bill creating the Civilian Conservation Corps.  An organization that gave young, urban men jobs in the field of conservation.  This provided relief for the millions of men previously unable to find employment.  

Next, Roosevelt focused on the relief of farmers.  On May 12, 1933 the Agricultural Adjustment Act was passed creating the Agricultural Adjustment Administration.  This administration paid farmers for surplus food they produced.  This Act provided relief to larger farmers by increasing their their prices and therefore their income.

Finally, Roosevelt offered relief to the states as a whole.  On May 12, 1933 the Federal Relief Act provided cash grants to states’ relief agencies.  Relief agencies were set up in order to aid people suffering from debt — which millions of people were.  The Federal Relief Act eventually led to the creation of the Civil Works Administration which created jobs for over 4 million Americans.

These are just a few of the initiatives taken to provide relief for the American people during the Great Depression.  Through actions to relieve people of the stresses of the Great Depression, the New Deal caused change that improved the lives of millions of Americans Americans.