What This Document Is
These are chapter notes covering material from Chapter 21 of “Give Me Liberty!” by Foner, as used in Dallas College’s United States History I (HIST 1301) course. The notes summarize key events, policies, and figures related to Franklin D. Roosevelt’s New Deal—the programs and policies enacted in the United States between 1933 and 1939 in response to the Great Depression. The notes focus on the initial phase of the New Deal, often referred to as the First New Deal.
Why This Document Matters
These notes are valuable for students enrolled in HIST 1301 or anyone studying the American response to the Great Depression. They provide a condensed overview of a pivotal period in U.S. history, outlining the government’s attempts to address economic hardship and reshape the role of the federal government. Understanding the New Deal is crucial for grasping the evolution of American political and economic thought, and its lasting impact on the relationship between citizens and their government. These notes are particularly useful for review, outlining major themes before or after lectures, and preparing for assessments.
Common Limitations or Challenges
These notes are a *summary* of the chapter and do not replace the need to read the full text of “Give Me Liberty!” They offer an overview but lack the detailed analysis, primary source excerpts, and nuanced arguments presented in the original work. They are designed to aid comprehension, not to provide a complete understanding of the New Deal. Further research and engagement with the textbook are essential for a comprehensive grasp of the subject matter.
What This Document Provides
This document includes notes on: FDR’s election and the context of the 1930s; the initial banking crisis and responses like the Emergency Banking Act, Glass-Steagall Act, and the move off the gold standard; the National Industrial Recovery Act (NRA) and its impact; early relief efforts like FERA and the CCC; public works projects such as the PWA and TVA; agricultural policies under the AAA and the Dust Bowl; housing initiatives including the HOLC and FHA; and the initial challenges to the New Deal from the Supreme Court.
This preview *does not* include the full text of primary source documents featured in the chapter (like excerpts from *The Grapes of Wrath*), detailed analysis of the political opposition to the New Deal, or a comprehensive discussion of the long-term consequences of these policies. It also does not cover the Second New Deal, which is addressed later in the textbook.
