The Vision of Franklin Roosevelt

During the Great Depression, there was a long list of relief programs to provide jobs and income for unemployed Americans. The major agency set up by the government was the NRA, or the National Recovery Administration. The NRA made it possible for fair business competition across American industry. Under these codes, the troubles faced in the workplace were wiped out. Child labor for one had now been eliminated, creating a better opportunity for those that had been unemployed and for children that had been treated unfairly. The President also approved a minimum wage in the workplace. Minimum wages had slowly begun to raise the standard of living in each state and acted as an incentive for the unemployed to venture back out into to the workplace. All together, more than 4 million people had been reemployed and started earning better wages for their families. Another agency that Roosevelt had established was the Industrial Recovery Program. The Industrial Recovery Program created jobs and public works programs for men that needed employment. All together, people who participated in these public works enjoyed higher wages and better working conditions. As a result of cooperation among new employees, employers began noticing industrial earnings that were higher than the previous quarters. Americans now had a reason to be a part of the work force. Not only were employees treated better than before, but they were assisting the development of there towns and cities. President Roosevelt’s economic relief plan proved to be fruitful.

        Aside from the physical action that Franklin Roosevelt took to restore economical order in the United States, he more importantly carried a mentality that inspired unemployed Americans nation-wide to venture back out into the workplace. In Roosevelt’s words; “Demoralization caused by vast unemployment is our greatest extravagance. Morally, it is the greatest menace to our social order.”(New Deal 196) By stating this live across the country during one of his fireside chats, it branded a symbol of pride and duty among all Americans. Workers that had previously given up on the economy and workplace had now been given hope for a better tomorrow. Roosevelt brought an attitude that united the country and formed a sense of teamwork between employers and employees. The unity between these two gave a promising outlook on a terrible crisis.

        In conclusion, the actions of Franklin Roosevelt during the Great Depression were incredibly vital to the United States and livelihood of its people. Roosevelt primarily solved the national banking crisis not only by bailing out privately owned banks, but also by placing new regulations on investments. These included the Security exchange Act and FDIC. Roosevelt secondly created many jobs and public works programs in order to give unemployed Americans an opportunity to earn wages. Along with these new opportunities came new rights such as the end of child labor and the formation of a minimum wage. Finally, and most importantly, President Roosevelt symbolized an American hero. During his public speeches and fireside chats, he inspired millions to work towards the future of their country. His attitude and mentality served as a sign of hope for skeptical investors and downtrodden work force. The steps that Franklin Roosevelt took in order to enhance the failing economy, and the inspirational opportunities that he granted to Americans single handedly ascended the United States out of the Great Depression.

Works Cited

Dellano (Franklin Delano), 1882-1945., Roosevelt D. The public papers and addresses of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Volume three, The advance of recovery and reform, 1934: with a special introduction and explanatory notes by President Roosevelt. [Book 1]. Vol. 3. New York: Random House, 1938. Print.