Chapter 15 Vocab The New Deal
1. The New Deal FDR s legislation from 1933 to 1938 intended to promote relief, economic recovery, and reform American capitalism, and offer security to ordinary Americans.
2. Eleanor Roosevelt Wife of FDR. Transformed the role of first lady by participation in political affairs. Her activism opened up political opportunities for other women and civil rights issues.
3. First Hundred Days The first 100 days of FDRs presidency Between March 9 and June 16, 1933, Congress passed 15 major acts to meet the economic crisis.
4. Fireside Chat Radio addresses that FDR used to address the American people directly to let them know what he was trying to accomplish.
5. Bank Holiday FDRs first act as president FDR temporarily closed the banks Emergency Banking Relief Act: required federal examiners to survey the nations banks and give certificates to re-open to those that were sound.
6. Brain Trust A group of leading academics who served as presidential advisers. They wanted to revive the Progressive-era practice of using govt. regulation to solve economic problems and protect the common good.
7. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) Provided government insurance for bank deposits up to a certain amount. Increased public confidence in the system.
8. Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) Under the AAA, farmers would be paid NOT to grow crops. This should end the overproduction of crops and raise crop prices. PROBLEM: Food prices raise during depression AND tenent farmers become homeless and jobless.
9. Security and Exchange Commission Required companies to disclose financial details to potential investors so they could make an informed stock purchase. Regulated the practice of buying on margin. Attempted to prevent problems of Stock Market Crash.
10. Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Built dams and hydroelectric plants in the Tennessee River Valley to control flooding, generate power, and attract industry to the South.
11. Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Employed single men, ages 18-25, in reforestation and construction Lived in camps near their work areas and earned $30/ month
12. Second New Deal A second series of programs and reforms that FDR hoped would speed up the nation s recovery, provide economic security to every American, and ensure his re-election in 1936.
13. Works Progress Administration (WPA) Extensive public works program employed 8 million ranging from artists to construction workers
14. Social Security Act Guaranteed eligible workers a pension, unemployment insurance, aid to disabled and widows with dependent children
15. Wagner Act/ National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) Wagner Act-Guaranteed the right of workers to bargain collectively for higher wages Act created NLRB that prevented employers from firing or blacklisting workers who joined unions. Union membership increased greatly.
16. Court Packing FDR s plan to increase the number of supreme court justices from 9 to 15. This fiasco hurt FDR politically, as many feared court-packing would upset the balance of power in the government.
17. Frances Perkins The first female cabinet member in US history. Nominated by FDR to be Secretary of Labor.
18. Black Cabinet A group of influential African Americans who advised president Roosevelt on issues that affected them.
19. Mary McLeod Bethune A member of the black cabinet and a powerful champion of racial equality. The most powerful African American within Roosevelt s cabinet. Bethune was also close friends with Mrs. Roosevelt.
20. Dorothea Lange Photographer who worked for the Resettlement Administration to document the extent of the migrant workers suffering and arouse public s sympathy. Famous photo: Migrant Mother
21. 21 st Amendment Repealed the 18 th Amendment thus allowing the manufacturing, selling and transporting of alcohol.
22. 22 nd Amendment No person shall be elected to the office of President more than twice, and no person who has held the office of President, for more than two years of a term or acted as President shall be elected to the office more than once.
23. John L. Lewis Head of the United Mine Workers who created the Congress of Industrial Organizations (C.I.O). C.I.O. Organized all workers into one union
24. Huey P. Long Senator from Louisiana who challenged the New Deal He proposed a Share Our Wealth plan to redistribute money from the rich to the poor.
25. Keynesian Economic Theory An economic theory based on John Maynard Keynes A theory that supports government intervention (deficit spending) to spur employment and consumer spending when economies stumble. Opposite of laissez faire