How far do you agree that the New Deal was more focussed on relief than recovery and reform?

Contrary to the Emergency Banking Act, The Agricultural Adjustment Administration was set up in the hope of the long-term improvement of the problems that farmers faced. Therefore, the A.A.A. was an act of reform and recovery. It set quotas to reduce overproduction of farming goods thus gradually forcing prices upwards. At the same time, it helped farmers to modernise their techniques to protect the soil. Although it helped the farmers enormously, the modernisation of farming methods put more farm labourers out of work.

Roosevelt set up many more organisations however most of which were indeed on a relief basis. For instance, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration or FERA, set about meeting the urgent needs of the poor. It spent $500 billion on necessities for the poor as well as employment schemes and nursery schools. Another short-term organisation was the Civilian Conservation Corps. It focussed on unemployed young men in particular. These young men were able to sign on for a 6 month period, which could be renewed if they still could not find work. Most of the work done by the C.C.C. was environmental, and over 200 million trees were planted. Furthermore, around 2.5 million young men were helped by the organisation.

However, although these organisations were focussing on short-term relief, that was the intention. Roosevelt also created the National Industrial Recovery Act, which set up two important organisations: the Public Works Administration and the National Recovery Administration. The Public Works Administration, like FERA, built schools, roads, dams, bridges and airports (with the government's money). However, contrary to FERA, these buildings would be vital once America had recovered from the depression, and created millions of jobs with regards to short-term relief. The National Recovery Administration, which improved the working conditions in industry and banned child labour, was a voluntary organisation. However, firms which joined used the blue eagle as a symbol of presidential approval, which made it fashionable to be a member of the NRA. The intention was to give money to workers, but force them to spend it, therefore stimulating the economy, however, it proved to be a failure, as employers believed that the trades unions between firms were becoming too powerful. Due to the failure of the NRA, Roosevelt's Second New Deal provided a solution called the Wagner Act, which introduced legal protection for trades unions.

In conclusion, I believe that the New Deal was intended to focus on all three factors: relief, recovery and reform as Roosevelt set up organisations which were aimed at all three. With regards to relief, Roosevelt set up the Emergency Banking Act, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Agricultural Adjustment Administration and the National Recovery Act (which consisted of the Public Works Administration and the National Recovery Administration) were all focussed upon recovery and reform. Although there were many critics of the New Deal, I believe Roosevelt acted wisely and in the countries best interests and although the NRA was not a success, his other organisations were and it was Roosevelt which brought America out of depression.