What two New Deal programs most benefited Arkansas and why? Consider the social, economic and political impacts as you prepare your response. Also consider how some programs only benefited certain groups of people.
(4 points)
Two New Deal programs that most benefited Arkansas were the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA).
The CCC was a program that provided jobs for young men in conservation efforts such as reforestation and improving national parks. In Arkansas, the CCC had a significant impact on both the economy and the environment. The program helped improve infrastructure and natural resources in the state, such as building roads, bridges, and dams. This not only created jobs for many Arkansans but also helped to stimulate the economy by providing much-needed work during the Great Depression.
The AAA was another crucial program for Arkansas, as the state's economy was heavily dependent on agriculture at the time. The AAA aimed to stabilize crop prices by reducing surplus production and providing subsidies to farmers. In Arkansas, this program helped to improve the income of farmers and stabilize the agricultural industry. By reducing surpluses, the AAA also helped to increase crop prices, benefitting farmers in the state.
However, it is important to note that not all New Deal programs benefited all groups equally. For example, the Social Security Act and the National Labor Relations Act primarily targeted urban and industrial workers, leaving out many rural and agricultural workers in Arkansas. Additionally, programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Public Works Administration (PWA) focused on infrastructure projects in urban areas, which may have excluded some rural communities in Arkansas.
Overall, the CCC and the AAA were significant New Deal programs that greatly benefited Arkansas by providing jobs, improving infrastructure, and stabilizing the agricultural industry. However, it is essential to recognize that some programs had limitations in their reach and impact on certain groups of people in the state.