Question

1. What was the New Deal?

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Answered by GPT-4o mini
The New Deal was a series of federal programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations enacted in the United States during the 1930s, primarily in response to the Great Depression. Initiated by President Franklin D. Roosevelt after his election in 1932, the New Deal aimed to provide relief for the unemployed, stimulate economic recovery, and reform the financial system to prevent a future depression.

The New Deal is often divided into two main phases:

1. **First New Deal (1933-1934)**: This phase focused on immediate relief and recovery measures. Key programs and initiatives included:
- The Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which provided jobs in natural resource conservation.
- The Public Works Administration (PWA), which aimed at large-scale public works construction.
- The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), which sought to boost agricultural prices by limiting production.
- The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), which aimed to stimulate industrial growth and improve labor conditions.

2. **Second New Deal (1935-1936)**: This phase emphasized social welfare and economic security. Notable programs included:
- The Social Security Act, which established a social insurance system.
- The Works Progress Administration (WPA), which created millions of jobs through various public projects.
- The Wagner Act, which strengthened labor rights and unions.

The New Deal significantly reshaped the role of the federal government in American life and laid the foundation for modern social safety nets. Its legacy is a subject of debate among historians and economists, with some praising its effectiveness in alleviating the hardships of the Great Depression, and others criticizing it for expanding government intervention in the economy.

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