The New Deal and American Society, 1933–1941; First Edition

__The New Deal and American Society, 1933–1941__ explores what some have labeled the third American revolution, in one concise and accessible volume. This book examines the emergence of modern America, beginning with the 100 Days legislation in 1933 through to the second New Deal era that began in 1935. This revolutionary period introduced sweeping social and economic legislation designed to provide the American people with a sense of hope while at the same time creating regulations designed to safeguard against future depressions. It was not without critics or failures, but even these proved significant in the ongoing discussions concerning the idea of federal power, social inclusion, and civil rights. Uncertainties concerning aggressive, nationalistic states like Italy, Germany, and Japan shifted the focus of FDR's administration, but the events of World War II solidified the ideas and policies begun during the 1930s, especially as they related to the welfare state. The legacy of the New Deal would resonate well into the current century through programs like Social Security, unemployment compensation, workers' rights, and the belief that the federal government is responsible for the economic well-being of its citizenry. The volume includes many primary documents to help situate students and bring this era to life. The text will be of interest to students of American history, economic and social history, and, more broadly, courses that engage social change and economic upheaval. The New Deal and American Society, 1933–1941 explores what some have labeled the third American revolution, in one concise and accessible volume. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Series Page 3 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Table of Contents 6 Chronology 8 Who’s who 14 PART I: The New Deal 18 1. The New Era and the fate of the nation, 1929–33 20 Boom years 20 The New Era 22 The Crash 24 Stay the course 26 Action 27 Bonus March 29 Assessment 31 1932 election 33 2. FDR’s 100 Days and the transformation of America, 1933–5 36 New liberalism 36 100 Days 39 Civilian Conservation Corps 41 Three Acts—AAA, FERA, and NIRA 44 Power and control 52 Assessment 53 3. The second New Deal and the rise of the welfare state, 1935–9 57 Challenges 57 Welfare state 59 Works Progress Administration and work relief 61 National Youth Administration 64 Social security 67 Labor 69 Rural America 73 Assessment 75 4. Challenges to the New Deal and World War II 78 The future is bright 79 Roosevelt recession 81 Court packing and the House Un-American Activities Committee 82 Response 85 World crises and the New Deal 86 Election of 1940 88 Assessment 93 5. Memory, popular culture, and the New Deal 96 Memory 96 American culture 98 Songs of America 99 Radio 103 Hollywood 105 Historians 110 Assessment 112 PART II: Documents 116 Glossary 150 Guide to further reading 152 Index 157 "1 The New Era and the fate of the nation,1929–33"; "2 FDR's 100 Days and the transformation of America,1933–5"; "3 The second New Deal and the rise of the welfare state,1935–9"; 4 Challenges to the New Deal and World War II; "5 Memory,popular culture,and the New Deal"; Glossary; Guide to further reading 1 The New Era and the fate of the nation, 1929–33,2 FDR's 100 Days and the transformation of America, 1933–5,3 The second New Deal and the rise of the welfare state, 1935–9,4 Challenges to the New Deal and World War II,5 Memory, popular culture, and the New Deal,Glossary,Guide to further reading "The New Deal and American Society, 1933-1941 explores what some have labelled the third American revolution, in one concise and accessible volume. This book examines the emergence of modern America, beginning with the 100 Days legislation in 1933 through to the second New Deal era that began in 1935. This revolutionary period introduced sweeping social and economic legislation designed to provide the American people with a sense of hope while at the same time creating regulations designed to safeguard against future depressions. It was not without critics or failures, but even these proved significant in the ongoing discussions concerning the idea of federal power, social inclusion, and civil rights. Uncertainties concerning aggressive, nationalistic states like Italy, Germany, and Japan shifted the focus of FDR's administration, but the events of World War II solidified the ideas and policies begun during the 1930s, especially as they related to the welfare state. The legacy of the New Deal would resonate well into the current century through programs like Social Security, unemployment compensation, workers' rights, and the belief that the federal government is responsible for the economic well-being of its citizenry. The volume includes many primary documents to help situate students and bring this era to life"-- Provided by publisher