Roosevelt seemed optimistic and one of his striking promises was “I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people” which we can see in Source A. People won hope and confidence in Roosevelt’s ideas and saw someone who was ready to help them, the ordinary people. He promised to get rid of Prohibition which was very unpopular at the time.
Farmers supported him because he had promised them to increase their income. He had made himself a name by introducing tax relief for farmers. His charisma reached the living rooms of many homes when Roosevelt held his side chats on the radio. He had a natural gift for speaking to people over the radio. To the people, he seemed to be the normal man in the street who kept himself in contact with the people rather than a distant politician who hid behind power.
In Source A, Roosevelt for the first time expressed his desire for a New Deal. Roosevelt was able to provide confidence with his straight but significant ideas such as “I am waging war against Destruction, Delay, Deceit and Despair”. The strikes he had had in the past, made the people see him as well qualified to help the American people overcome their problems.
Christian Hidalgo Coursework
Question 2. Study Sources B and C.
How do these two judgements on the New Deal differ?
Source B is clearly in favour of Roosevelt and the New Deal and sees it as a success. It sees the achievements of the New Deal as a success, specially Roosevelt’s way of restoring self-confidence to the people. He was able to change depression to excitement and hope in spring of 1933.
In Source B, the achievements in tackling the problems of natural resources by forming the CCC- Civilian Conservation Corps which were able to plant 17 million acres of new forests and built 6 millions dams to stop erosion with 3 million men are shown as one other of Roosevelt’s big successes.
By 1932, the number of unemployed was at it’s highest, 14 million. By introducing unemployment assistance Roosevelt was able to reduce unemployment. He also introduced old-age pensions and banned child labour.
All these actions were strengthening the government and although it had greater responsibilities the people still had the power to vote them out. The American historian writing source B in 1945 does not agree that Roosevelt was a dictator.
In Source C, Roosevelt and the introduction of the New Deal are criticised. It can be clearly seen that it has been written by opponents of Roosevelt, most likely, Republicans. Source C comments that every one in four people in the USA depends on employment by the government.
It gives national debt figures of 19 billion before Roosevelt came to power which rose to 250 billion when he became President. It says that inflation had increased the prices of goods double and had led to lower paid to become poor.
More people are said to be on government relief.
In source C the actions taken by the Congress in 1933 say that it put billions of dollars into the hands of Roosevelt who used the power ruthlessly turning the government into a dictatorial one.
By 1938, after Roosevelt had cut the New Deal budget in 1937, Source C says that his reputation sank as unemployment once again rose to 11 million and taxes rose. Thanks to the war, Roosevelt was able to be rescued like “a drowning man”. Entering the war made it possible for him to get everyone to work.
We can specially see big contrasts between Sources B and C when referring to the different ways the historians interpret Roosevelt’s aim with the New Deal. In Source B, Roosevelt is seen as helpful and responsible by taking more responsibilities without gaining more power. Source C sees Roosevelt’s actions of the New Deal as a way of gaining to power and turning the government to a dictatorship.
Another clear difference of opinion is seen in: Source B which refers to Roosevelt as creating jobs by introducing the CCC which helped to reduce unemployment. In Source C, it says that one in every four people is dependent on government employment.
In Source B it is commented about Roosevelt introducing unemployment assistance and old pensions to help and maintain the poor. In Source C it says that inflation led to the lower paid to poverty.
Christian Hidalgo Coursework
Question 3. Study Source D.
What message do you think the photographer was trying to give? Refer to the photograph and your knowledge of the period to help you explain your answer.
In my opinion the photographer of Source D is trying to send the message of solidarity towards the poor, specially towards the black who were benefited minimally by the New Deal. The photograph shows a well-conserved white family enjoying a ride in a car. In front of the car we can see black people queuing for government relief. The photograph was taken in 1937, just after Roosevelt had cut down the New Deal budget. This led to an increase of unemployment, over 11 million. Over the top of the photograph we can read “World’s highest standard of living”. This can be seen as ironically and sarcastically as although USA was the richest country of the world, only a small minority, mostly white, benefited from it.
Although we cannot be for sure that the photograph has not been fitted together, the image of the photographer is clearly portrayed. The New Deal was divided into several agencies, each to help somehow the bad situation of the people. Although the CCC gave a number of jobs to black, the percentage was minimum. The AAA, by modernising farms led many black to become unemployed. Many agencies discriminated black and did not provide help to the black.
Black remained second-class citizens. Racism and discrimination remained widespread. Segregation continued to take place in education, transport and public places. Blacks were forbidden to live in Tennessee Valley. By 1935, 30% of the black population living in the USA were living on relief. Roosevelt was unable to put through civil rights laws, particularly an anti-lynching law. The photographer is making clear to the population that the New Deal was only successful in helping part of the white and a very tiny percentage of the black population. It also sends the message that white were much more likely to live a higher standard of living than black.
