Here are three key New Deal programs, along with their goals:
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Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC): Established in 1933, the CCC aimed to provide employment for young men during the Great Depression. The program focused on natural resource conservation, offering jobs in a variety of environmental projects, such as planting trees, building dams, and improving national parks. The goals were to reduce unemployment, conserve natural resources, and instill work ethic and discipline in the youth.
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Public Works Administration (PWA): Created as part of the National Industrial Recovery Act in 1933, the PWA aimed to stimulate the economy through large-scale public works projects. It funded the construction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges, schools, and hospitals, which not only created jobs but also improved the nation’s physical infrastructure. The goals were to reduce unemployment, boost industry, and improve public facilities.
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Social Security Act (SSA): Enacted in 1935, the SSA aimed to provide a safety net for the elderly, unemployed, and disadvantaged. It established the Social Security program, which included retirement benefits, unemployment insurance, and aid for dependent children and the disabled. The goals were to promote economic security, reduce poverty among vulnerable populations, and establish a system of social insurance that could provide financial assistance during times of need.
These programs were part of an overarching strategy by President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s administration to respond to the economic challenges of the Great Depression and to build a more stable and secure social safety net in the United States.