The Second New Deal Second Hundred Days FDR

The Second New Deal

Second Hundred Days • FDR was hoping for more of an improvement • Unemployment was still high • New Deal was still popular among the people • Second phase of New Deal called for more relief for farmers and workers

Eleanor Roosevelt • Traveled the country to witness the suffering of people and remind the president of the people’s present condition • Politically astute • Helped women’s movement during Great Depression

Farmers • Encouraged to practice soil conservation and taking care of the land • Farm Security Administration = loaned more than $1 billion to tenant farmers to become land owners

Extending Relief • Works Progress Administration (WPA): create as many jobs as soon as possible. Over 8 million workers. Built airports, roads, bridges, and public buildings. *Get young people to work* • National Youth Administration (NYA): provide education, jobs, counseling, and recreation for young people. Student aid to high school, college, and graduate students. (Work Study)

Labor Relations • Wagner Act: established collective bargaining, prohibited unfair labor practices. • Set up the National Labor Relations Board to oversee hearings of unfair practices and sponsor union representation for workers

Labor Relations • Fair Labor Standards Act: maximum working hours = 44 per week, minimum wage = 25 cents an hour. Rules for those under 16 and banned hazardous work for those under 18

Social Security • **Social Security Act**: retirement plan for those 65 or older. Aided people with disabilities.

• Rural Electrification Administration: Provided affordable electricity for isolated rural areas.

Women Make Their Mark • Francis Perkins = first female cabinet member (Secretary of Labor). Helped form the Social Security system. • Women still discriminated against by men due to job competition.

Women Make Their Mark • Mary Mc. Leod Bethune: educator who dedicated herself to promoting opportunities for African Americans. • “Black Cabinet” = group of African American advisers to the president on racial issues

Racial Issues • FDR never fully commits to the advancement of civil rights. • New Deal programs geared towards white males

• New Deal Coalition: organization of diverse interest groups to support the Democratic Party • Union membership increased. American Federation of Labor represented craft unions but would later come to represent industrial unions and change its name to the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO)