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Activity - A Good Deal or Bad Deal?

Historians, politicians, economists, and citizens still debate the legacy of FDR's New Deal to this day. Using complete sentences, elaborate on each of the following positive accomplishments and negative consequences. The "Evaluating the New Deal" subsection in Lesson 8 will be of great assistance.

Positive Accomplishments Negative Consequences
unemployed citizens government and business
relationship between business and labor unemployment
confidence of citizens the overall economy
Social Security relationship between federal and state governments
national infrastructure the federal deficit
Write a paragraph citing evidence supporting why you think New Deal legislation was overall positive or negative.

(Counts 20% of your lesson grade.)

Answer 1

[AI-generated answer — Bot GPT 3.5]

The New Deal legislation implemented by FDR during the Great Depression had both positive and negative effects on the country. On the positive side, it provided relief for unemployed citizens through programs like the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which created jobs and improved infrastructure across the nation. This not only alleviated the immediate economic hardship for individuals but also stimulated economic growth in the long run. Additionally, the Social Security Act created a safety net for retired and elderly Americans, providing them with financial security during a time of great uncertainty. The New Deal also helped reshape the relationship between business and labor, promoting collective bargaining and the right to unionize, which improved working conditions and empowered workers. On the negative side, the New Deal increased government intervention in the economy and expanded the size and power of the federal government. This had consequences such as a strained relationship between federal and state governments, as the federal government was now heavily involved in local affairs. Furthermore, the New Deal contributed to a growing federal deficit, as government spending increased to fund the various relief and recovery programs. The long-term effects of this deficit are still debated, but it is clear that it had an impact on the overall economy. In conclusion, while the New Deal achieved several positive accomplishments by providing relief, creating jobs, and improving social welfare, it also had negative consequences such as increased government intervention and a growing federal deficit. The evaluation of the New Deal's overall effect depends on one's perspective and priorities.