"A NEW DEAL FOR THE AMERICAN PEOPLE"
by Joseph F. Steelman*
The decade that followed the First World War,
1919 through 1929, has often been called an era of
prosperity, the "roaring twenties," a boom time for
stock market gambling and speculation. Econo¬
mists and political leaders of those years foresaw
unending material growth and only a few ques¬
tioned the giddy optimism of boosters and promot¬
ers. The stock market crash of October, 1929,
ended abruptly this age of promise and ushered in
what has become known as the Great Depression.
It was indeed the most severe economic crisis in
American history, and recovery had not been
accomplished fully by 1939 when the Second World
War broke out in Europe.
Those who endured the Great Depression still
have vivid memories of this trying time. The most
poignant incidents that I can recall took place when
destitute cotton mill town families, carrying their
personal belongings in tattered suitcases and boxes,
came by our family farm in western North Carolina
begging for food and shelter. Unemployed and
homeless, they hoped to join parents or relatives
and somehow eke out a living from the land.
With millions of people jobless and desperate,
charitable organizations such as the Salvation Army
and American Red Cross were soon unable to
satisfy urgent needs. Private charities, church and
civic groups, and the many who were compassion¬
ate [concerned] toward human misery tried to offer
relief, but it was never enough. As the depression
wore on, depositors lost their savings in banks that
failed or closed; workers and suppliers could not be
paid by bankrupt businesses, and many public ser¬
vants were dismissed or not paid by state, county,
and city agencies. Economic losses can hardly be
calculated in monetary terms, and the social and
psychological damages wrought by such a pro¬
longed crisis were staggering.
While the»federal government under President
Herbert Hoover's administration attempted to
provide some work and financial relief, the effects
of the depression nonetheless worsened from 1929
to 1932. Clearly more drastic measures were
required to avert further tragedy. Amidst these
circumstances Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected
president in 1932, and with his inauguration the
New Deal was launched in 1933.
Roosevelt's immediate goal was to provide relief
in the form of food, clothing, and shelter to the
needy. Oftentimes this was made through an out¬
right dole or monetary allowance. But the long-
range objectives of his program called for public
works projects to construct facilities like roads and
sewers that were needed; the reduction of unem¬
ployment; and the stimulation of the economy. The
scope and extent of these endeavors continue to
fascinate historians. For high school and college
students the National Youth Administration pro¬
vided part-time jobs that enabled thousands to
complete their education. It was my privilege to
work in this program at the University of North
Carolina at Chapel Hill. The Civilian Conservation
Corps employed young men in reforestation efforts,
conservation work, and in the construction and
landscaping of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The North
Carolina Symphony was launched as a work relief
opportunity for musicians. Historians, poets,
playwrights, and artists in this state were engaged
in creative activity that left enduring legacies for
future generations. Laborers erected school and
college buildings, courthouses, town halls, streets,
sidewalks, waterworks, roads, and airports. A com¬
monplace sign that was proudly displayed at this
time announced "MEN WORKING."
In order to achieve relief, recovery, and reform,
the New Deal assisted farmers to control crop pro¬
duction, conserve soil, and boost prices. It brought
rural electrification to most of the state. Through
loans to businesses it prevented inevitable bank¬
ruptcies. When banks finally reopened, the accounts
of their depositors were insured against failures.
The rights of workers to organize and bargain col¬
lectively in unions were protected, and wage-and-
hour legislation enhanced their earnings. With the
passage of social security legislation, important
benefits were provided to unemployed, disabled,
aged, and retired workers. Altogether, the changes
secured in the New Deal were among the most
profound in American history. It is therefore appro¬
priate that this phase of our past be marked for
study and reflection. U71
'Professor of History Emeritus, East Carolina University, Greenville
