Failure of the First New Deal led to the Second.
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The need for a Second New Deal showed that the first had been a failure.
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The question of whether the need for a Second New Deal indicated the failure of the first New Deal is a complex one, requiring a nuanced analysis of the context and outcomes of both sets of policies implemented during the Great Depression in the 1930s.
The First New Deal, introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933-1934, aimed to address the immediate economic crisis of mass unemployment and financial instability. It included programs such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration to provide relief to the unemployed, and the Agricultural Adjustment Administration to address agricultural overproduction. Additionally, measures were taken to stabilize the banking system and stimulate the economy by abandoning the gold standard. While these initiatives did provide some relief and stabilization, they did not lead to a significant reduction in unemployment nor a full recovery of the economy. This can be seen as a failure in achieving the desired outcomes of full employment and economic growth.
The Second New Deal, implemented from 1935-1938, represented a shift towards more ambitious reform efforts. The Social Security Act, which introduced old age pensions, and the Wagner Act, which established new labor relations standards, were key components of this phase. The Emergency Relief Appropriations Act also provided effective work relief to many Americans. These initiatives were a response to the limitations and shortcomings of the First New Deal and aimed to address more systemic issues within American society. Some may argue that the need for these reforms indicated the failure of the initial New Deal policies to bring about lasting change and widespread recovery.
On the other hand, another perspective could be that the Second New Deal was a natural progression from the initial relief-focused policies towards more structural and sustainable reforms. The First New Deal stabilized the economy and prevented further collapse, laying the groundwork for the more comprehensive reform initiatives of the Second New Deal. In this view, the need for a second phase was not necessarily a result of failure but a recognition of the evolving challenges and opportunities in the economic and social landscape of the 1930s.
In conclusion, while the First New Deal did not fully achieve its intended goals of full recovery and employment, it did provide crucial relief and stabilization during a period of acute crisis. The need for a Second New Deal can be interpreted as a response to the limitations of the initial policies and a recognition of the need for more profound and lasting changes in American society. Ultimately, the success or failure of the New Deal programs must be judged within the context of the unprecedented challenges faced during the Great Depression and the broader goals of economic and social reform in the 1930s America.
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The need for a Second New Deal showed that the first had been a failure.’ How far do you agree?
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Possible areas of discussion around the First New Deal:
The First New Deal of 1933–4 included federal action to relieve unemployment such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and Federal Emergency Relief Administration, and economic hardship, such as the Agricultural Adjustment Administration. It also stabilized the banking system and saw the USA leave the gold standard to allow for the inflation of the US economy. Much legislative and executive activity led to some relief and some recovery, if not a great deal of either. Overall though unemployment was not significantly reduced and demand in the economy had not recovered. These could be used to point to ‘failure’.
Possible areas of discussion around the Second New Deal:
The second New Deal of 1935–8 was more ambitious in its focus on reform as FDR articulated his vision of the future USA in 1934–5. The Social Security Act, introducing old age pensions, was the most radical social reform of the era while the Wagner Act established a new basis for labor relations – even if FDR was not keen on all aspects. The Wealth Tax Act was more symbolic than effective. The Emergency Relief Appropriations Act did much to provide effective work relief in the late 1930s. Some may argue that these ideas show that failure in the First New Deal had necessitated greater radicalism whilst others may suggest that it was a natural step after the ‘recovery’ phase of the First New Deal. Candidates will need to use some kind of metric to judge success or failure within the context of 1930s America. Accept any other valid responses.