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Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)
Starting in 1933, Roosevelt present the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in hopes of soil conservation, reforestation, and employing millions of men nationwide to fix the 25% unemployment rate. This "tree army," of about 3 million men, planted billions of trees, dug canals and ditches, built wildlife shelters, stocked bodies of water with fish, restored historic battlefields, and cleared beaches and campgrounds. From 1933-1942, these men provided over 800 parks and billions of trees. -
Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)
The goal of the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), created in 1933, was to reduce the production of staple crops and surpluses to raise food prices. The AAA encouraged farmers to kill excess live stock, not plant all their land, and taught ways to prevent soil erosion. Although this act participated in the doubling of farmers' cash income between 1932-1936, farmers would not get out of their slump until World War 2. This act was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court in 1936. -
Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC)
Nationwide issued mortages dropped from 5,778 in 1928 to 864 in 1933. The Home Owners Loan Corporation (HOLC) was created to solve this worsening problem. It had the goal to keep people in their homes and make the mortage system more managable. The HOLC granted around 1M long-term, low interest loans to homeowners to prevent the loss of their houses. It also changed the mortage sytem by extending the repayment period and making it more affordable for many Americans. -
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC)
FDIC Video
In order to restore trust in banks and keep them from failing, the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) was created. The FDIC insures deposits of individuals and companies up to $250,000 if the bank or thrift institution should fail. It also monitors the risks and attempts to limit the possible effects a failing bank may have on the U.S. economy. The FDIC is still in use today. -
Federal Housing Administration (FHA)
FHA Video
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) strived to increase homes built, owned, and help Americans keep them. The FHA recognized the lack of houses being built, causing industries such as construction to struggle. To solve this problem, the FHA insured loans to build and repair homes, promoted buying and lending, provide mortgage insurance, and regulate interest rates. The FHA is still in use today, raising the nation's homeownership rate. -
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
SEC Video
After the stock market crash, Roosevelt created the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) in 1934 to protect investors and regulate the stock market. It also maintains fair and efficient markets, while restricting buying on the margin. The SEC has helped protect the stock market from crashing again. This was meant to restore trust in the stock market and it is still in use today. -
Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Employing around 8.5M people, with an average salary of $41.57 a month, the Works Progress Administration provided us with bridges, roads, public buildings, and airports. With spending more that $11M before being cancelled in 1943, Harry Hopkins believed it was better to give people jobs and keep their pride rather than take their pride and hand them money. The WPA was for almost anyone. It provided jobs to women (with equal wages), had jobs for artists, musicians, writers, and more. -
Rural Electrification Administration (REA)
In 1935, only 10% of rural America had electricity, causing poor health conditions and without heated homes. Roosevelt decided to change that by creating the Rural Electrification Administration (REA). It encouraged farmers to band together and create non-profit cooperatives that the government could make loans to in order to provide electricity in rural America, which was something the private utility companies refused to do. By 1940, 40% of American farms had electricity and by 1950, 90% did. -
National Labor Relations Board (Wagner Act)
Wagner Act Video
The Wagner Act watned to give legal rights to workers and establish fair labor practices. The Wagner Act created the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), a three-member board with the job of settling disputes between employers and their employees. This act also granted employees the right to form and join unions to bargin better work terms and conditions. Unions now had the right to strike, as well. The NLRB is still in use today. -
Social Security Administration
Socail Security Video
The Social Security Administration, still in use today, provides welfare for those of old-age, poverty, unemployment, dependent children, and disabled. This administration has now provided a sense of security after retiring. The majority of their funding comes from payroll tax. This program has changed the way many Americans are able to live.
