The New Deal is the name given to a series of policies introduced by President FD Roosevelt following his election in 1932. The New Deal was a wide ranging programme designed to tackle the Great Depression. Policies covered many aspects of the American economy and were met with both praise and strong criticism at the time.<\/strong><\/p>\n The New Deal (so called after the 1932 nomination speech of F.D.R.) only started once the \u201cLame-Duck\u201d months had ended.<\/p>\n It had two main phases:<\/p>\n \u00b7 The First 100 days- March\/June 1933. This had to rescue the US economy from over 4000 bank collapses in January of that year, amongst many problems.<\/p>\n \u00b7 The Second New Deal- laws passed after 1935.<\/p>\n The first series solved immediate emergencies, tried to relieve poverty and aid immediate recovery. The second series made longer lasting change (e.g. The Wagner Act of 1935).<\/p>\n A Summary of the New Deal<\/p>\n Income did improve, but only in 1940 did it reach the levels of the Boom year of 1927. !933 to 1937 saw a large fall in unemployment. Millions found work in the new public works organisations thanks to high public spending. When FDR cut this spending in 1937, the numbers rose again. It was only really WW2 that solved the US jobs problem.<\/p>\n The minimum wage laws and the Alphabet Agencies helped to alleviate but did not remove poverty. Indeed the survival of the depression until the war ensured opposition to the New Deal continued. The poorest third of the US remained no different. People often found work for public agencies, but not in the private sector. Despite the Wagner Act unions still fought over job security. Old Age Pensions, benefits still caused problems. For Blacks and women, especially in the south, little changed. The Farmers received a great deal of help, perhaps because they could shout the loudest.<\/p>\n