Ep 66. The New Deal

"The History of the United States, 2nd Edition" season 1 episode 66 titled "The New Deal" explores how President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's New Deal legislation changed the United States during the Great Depression. The episode delves into the chosen measures, including the establishment of agencies such as the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and the Social Security Administration.

The episode covers how the New Deal was a remarkable break with the previous laissez-faire economy policy that emphasized limited government intervention. After FDR took office in 1933, his administration began rolling out several programs and initiatives that sought to revive the US economy and create a more comprehensive safety net for citizens affected by the Great Depression.

The episode explores some of the most significant New Deal initiatives, such as the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, Work Progress Administration, and National Youth Administration, amongst others. This move not only created numerous jobs for people throughout the country, it also provided employment relief for struggling Americans, injecting confidence back into the economy.

Moreover, the episode explains how the massive infrastructure projects like the National Recovery Administration, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, and the Securities and Exchange Commission were designed to regulate sectors of the economy and protect citizens from an uncertain economic future. The New Deal was also instrumental in the creation of the Fair Labor Standards Act, which enshrined wage and hour protections for workers, as well as the establishment of the public works programs that were an essential part of America's post-World War II economic boom.

The episode also details the limitations of the New Deal and sheds light on some criticisms that arose concerning the programs. Critics of the New Deal believed that Roosevelt's policies did not save the country from the Great Depression's overwhelming effects, instead of prolonging it further. On the other hand, some praise the New Deal for helping the US out of the depression and providing a vital social safety net.

Finally, the episode ends with a reflection on the era's lasting legacy as it goes down as one of the most significant and transformative periods in American history. The episode takes an in-depth look at this time in American history, providing a nuanced and comprehensive assessment of the New Deal, ensuring that viewers develop a deep understanding of the programs' implications. Overall, the episode is an essential part of understanding how the US got to where it is today, reflecting on the past, and considering how future policy can benefit from the lessons learned.