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1930s Essay

Decent Essays

During the 1930's American citizens witnessed a

breakdown of the Democratic and free enterprise

way of life. The government saw that the

free enterprise system was failing. The New Deal

increased the government's regulation and intervention

and the economic system, thus temporarily

abandoning the capitalism system and turning toward

socialism to find the answer. The answer...

the New Deal.

Socialism is usually thought of as a form

of government that advocates public ownership

and public control of wealth (Britannica Jr.

Encyclopedia 1980, p.231). In other words,

a socialistic government wants the wealth of

the nation spread out in such a way that the

money is equally distributed among the country's

citizens. …show more content…

With the economy at on all time

low people wanted change, Roosevelt's legislative

program represented a new way of government for

capitalism in America. Roosevelt first used the

term "new deal" when he accepted the

Democratic presidental nomination in 1932. He

said "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal

for the American people." When Roosevelt became

President on March 4, 1933, business was at

a standstill and a feeling of panic hit the

nation (World Book, Vol.14, p.200). Roosevelt

responded with a controversial policy that rocked

the nation and what our nation stood for.

Roosevelt's New Deal programs aimed at three R's-

relief, recovery, and reform. The government

established short range goals that included

relief and immediate recovery, especially in the

first two years. They then set up long-range

goals which included permanent recovery and

reform of current abuses particuarly those that

produced the boom-or-bust catastrophe

(World Book, Vol.14, p.748).

The Congress authorized the National Recovery

Administration (NRA) in a daring attempt

to simulate a nationwide comeback. This scheme

was to perform immediate relief with long range

recovery and reform. It was designed to assist

industry, labor, and the

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