In this discussion, you will talk with your peers about the effectiveness of New Deal policies.
Begin your discussion by addressing the following prompt:
Many people supported Franklin Roosevelt’s New Deal policies. However, some individuals, such as Huey P. Long, criticized his policies, and the Supreme Court declared some unconstitutional. If you had lived during the Great Depression, would you have supported Roosevelt’s policies or criticized them? Why?
Post a detailed response to the discussion prompt. Then do the following:
Respond to a classmate’s post that supports Roosevelt’s policies.
Respond to a classmate’s post that criticizes Roosevelt’s policies.
If I had lived during the Great Depression, I would have supported Roosevelt's New Deal policies. The Great Depression was a monumental crisis that required immediate action and intervention from the government. Roosevelt's policies aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform to the American people, and I believe that they were necessary to alleviate the suffering and address the underlying issues that contributed to the Depression.
One of the main reasons I would have supported Roosevelt's policies is because of the relief measures they provided. The New Deal created programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which provided jobs for young men and helped improve infrastructure. It also established the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), which provided direct aid to those in need. These programs helped alleviate poverty and provided much-needed support to struggling families.
Furthermore, Roosevelt's policies focused on recovery by jumpstarting the economy. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) created jobs for millions of Americans and funded various public works projects like the construction of schools, roads, and bridges. These projects not only provided employment opportunities but also improved the nation's infrastructure, which had long-lasting benefits.
Lastly, the New Deal policies aimed to reform the financial system to prevent future crises. The creation of the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) introduced regulations and safeguards to prevent risky practices that led to the stock market crash and subsequent depression.
While it is true that some of Roosevelt's policies were declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court, I believe that overall, his efforts were necessary and effective. The New Deal helped alleviate the suffering of millions of Americans and laid the foundation for a more stable and regulated economy.
In response to a classmate's post that supports Roosevelt's policies, I would agree with their points and highlight the necessity of immediate action during the Great Depression. I would also mention the long-term benefits of the New Deal programs and how they helped rebuild the economy.
In response to a classmate's post that criticizes Roosevelt's policies, I would acknowledge their concerns but also emphasize the urgency of the situation. I would mention that while some of the policies might have had flaws, they were necessary to provide relief to the American people during a time of extreme hardship. I would also highlight the specific programs and regulations that were successful in addressing the issues of the Depression.