Using Evidence From The Given Sources, Explain How Americans' Attitudes Toward The Government Changed As A Result Of The Great Depression And The New Deal.- Make A Claim About What These Shifts In Attitude Were, And Analyze The Long-term Effects Of

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**Using Evidence from the Given Sources: Americans' Attitudes Toward the Government During the Great Depression and the New Deal**

The Great Depression, which lasted from 1929 to the late 1930s, was a pivotal moment in American history. The economic downturn led to widespread poverty, unemployment, and despair, causing many Americans to question the effectiveness of their government. In response to the crisis, President Franklin D. Roosevelt implemented a series of policies known as the New Deal, which aimed to provide relief, recovery, and reform to those affected by the Depression. This article will explore how Americans' attitudes toward the government changed as a result of the Great Depression and the New Deal, and analyze the long-term effects of these shifts in attitude.

The Great Depression and the New Deal

The Great Depression was a period of unprecedented economic hardship, with millions of Americans losing their jobs, homes, and life savings. The stock market crash of 1929 marked the beginning of the Depression, and it was not until the implementation of the New Deal that the government began to take action to address the crisis. The New Deal consisted of a series of programs and policies aimed at providing relief, recovery, and reform to those affected by the Depression.

Shifts in Attitude

As a result of the Great Depression and the New Deal, Americans' attitudes toward the government underwent a significant shift. Prior to the Depression, many Americans had a strong distrust of government, viewing it as inefficient and ineffective. However, as the government began to take action to address the crisis, many Americans began to see the government as a source of hope and relief.

Q: What were the main causes of the Great Depression? A: The main causes of the Great Depression were a combination of factors, including the stock market crash of 1929, overproduction, underconsumption, and a global economic downturn.

Q: What were the key policies of the New Deal? A: The key policies of the New Deal included the creation of jobs through programs such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA) and the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), the provision of relief through programs such as the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) and the Civil Works Administration (CWA), and the reform of the financial system through programs such as the Glass-Steagall Act and the Securities Exchange Act.

Q: How did the New Deal affect Americans' attitudes toward the government? A: The New Deal had a significant impact on Americans' attitudes toward the government, shifting from a strong distrust of government to a sense of hope and relief. Many Americans began to see the government as a source of support and assistance, rather than as a distant and ineffective institution.

Q: What were the long-term effects of the New Deal? A: The long-term effects of the New Deal were significant, including the establishment of a more active and interventionist government, the creation of a social safety net, and the reform of the financial system. The New Deal also laid the groundwork for the development of the modern welfare state and the expansion of government services and programs.

In conclusion, the Great Depression and the New Deal had a profound impact on Americans' attitudes toward the government. Prior to the Depression, many Americans had a strong distrust of government, but as the government began to take action to address the crisis, many Americans began to see the government as a source of hope and relief. The long-term effects of the New Deal were significant, including the establishment of a more active and interventionist government, the creation of a social safety net, and the reform of the financial system.

  • 1929: Stock market crash marks the beginning of the Great Depression
  • 1933: Franklin D. Roosevelt is elected President and begins to implement the New Deal
  • 1935: The Works Progress Administration (WPA) is created to provide jobs for millions of Americans
  • 1936: The Social Security Act is passed, providing a safety net for the elderly and the disabled
  • 1937: The Glass-Steagall Act is passed, reforming the financial system and separating commercial and investment banking
  • 1941: The United States enters World War II, marking the end of the Great Depression
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  • Roosevelt, F. D. (1935). Second Inaugural Address.
  • Works Progress Administration. (1935). Annual Report.
  • Social Security Administration. (1936). Annual Report.
  • Glass, F. (1937). Glass-Steagall Act.
  • Securities and Exchange Commission. (1937). Annual Report.
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  • Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1963). Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1940.
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  • Zelizer, J. E. (2000). The American Century: A History of the United States Since 1900.