New Deal (Improvements)

Question 1

How did African Americans gain from the New Deal

Answer 1

• Robert weeber became advice on the special economic status of the negro in 1934 – later became the
  head of the influential public work administration
• Grants of 45 million to fund schools, hospitals and homes for African Americans
• The African benefited from poor relief and job creation projects, by a federal body, the federal emergency
  relief agency in 1933-35
• Over a quarter of a million African Americans were given literacy help by Federal Aid projects
• Employment training provided by the national youth agency administration, advised by the African
  American reformer, Mary Mcleod Bethune
• Farm security administration gave help to southern African Americans who were hit particularly hard by
  the drop-in food prices
• President Roosevelt spoke out against lynching’s (yet no laws were passed preventing it)
• The defenders of the New Deal’s contribution to better race relations – increase in race relations, showing
  a change in atmosphere
• Elena Roosevelt, disapproving of segregation, supporting Black American rights
• NAACP grew in membership in the late 1930s

Question 2

What gains were made by NAI in the New Deal

Answer 2

• Wheeler Howard Act of 1934 gave NA a greater role in the administration of reservations
 Corporations

• Right to practice own religions and assert cultural identity
- They could build their own schools on the reservations.
• Children were allowed to attend local schools and learn about NA culture
• The Act stopped the sale of land and recover unallocated land to reform reservations
• Better training (farming) and better medical services provided
• Allotment policy was abandoned which meant further loss of land was prevented, improved the welfare and
conditions of Americans

• Tribes allowed to establish authority over groups.
 encourages tribal loyalties and provides leadership

• Overall all the implementations by the Wheeler Howard act showed that there was a greater respect for Indian
  American culture.

Question 3

What gains were made by Trade Unions and workers rights in this period

Answer 3

• Gov passed National Industry Recovery Act 1933, which set up the Nation Recovery Administration to improve
relations between employers and workers. It aimed to encourage cooperation on matters such as wages,
production and hours.
• Wagner Act 1935. This gave workers the rights to elect their own representatives to take part in negotiation and
protected workers rights to join unions.
• Union membership grew from 3.7 million in 1933 to 9 million 1938.
• Some resistant companies now recognize unions. US Steel 137. General Motors 1936.
• Fair Labor Standards Act introduces a weekly minimum wage 1938

• The nature of unions also changed with the establishment of the Committee of Industrial Organizations
established 1935, which became the Congress of Industrial Organisations (CIO) in 1937. This organisation
encouraged whole-industry unions and encouraged ethnic groups.
 Encouraged membership from AA.

Question 4

What gains were made by Women in the New Deal

Answer 4

• ’Social justice’ feminists. - use power to work for national interests as opposed to meereley acting os special
pleaders of women’s issues
 Child labour legislation
 Support wider aims of FDR’s administration of getting men back into work.

• Women attaining positions of authority within government.
 Frances Perkins Secretary of Labor 1933-45
 Mary Dewson several appointments including member of the social security board 1937-38

• Female appointments framed important framework for female progress in the future.
• 1933 Federal Emergency Relief Act – grants financial assistance and refuge in city shelters to homeless
women.