Critical Thinking 23-2 #3

Why might the Social Security Act be considered the most important achievement of the New Deal?

The Social Security Act was the most important program because it provided substantial benefits to millions of Americans. The act had three of helping these Americans. The first was to provide old-age insurance for retirees who were 65 of older and for their spouses as well. This insurance was used as a retirement plan. Half the funds were paid by workers and the other half from employers.
The second major part of the SSA was the Unemployment Compensation System. This was funded by a federal tax on employers. administered at state level, the initial payments ranged from $15 to $18 per week. The final part of the SSA was to aid families with dependent children and the disabled. This was made available to the states and paid for by federal funds.

Critical Thinking 23-1 #3

Of the New Deal programs discussed in this section, which do you consider the most important?

President Roosevelt's "New Deal" created many organizations and programs to support relief for the Great Depression. The most important program, however, has to be the National Industrial Recovery Act, or (NIRA). This act was important because it caused the creation of other programs such as the Public Works Administration (PWA), the Civil Works Administration (CWA), and the National Recovery Administration (NRA). The NIRA itself provided money so the states could afford to created new job opportunities for citizens. Specifically, these jobs were in the construction business, creating new schools and other community buildings.
The other programs spawned from the NIRA were just as important. The Public Works Administration was created originally as a part of the NIRA in creation of other jobs. When these programs failed trying, Roosevelt created the Civil Works administration. This provided work for people, 4 million at the start, during the winter of '33 - '34. It may have seamed like a fill in so Roosevelt had time to create another program, but the CWA was able to build 40 thousand schools, payed the salaries of over 50 thousand teachers and built more than 50 thousand miles of roads. The NIRA was big on industrial growth, so to promote it, they created the National recovery Administration. The Goal of the NRA was to promote recovery by interrupting the thread of wage cuts, falling prices, and layoffs.

Critical Thinking 22-3 #3

How did Hoover's belief in "rugged individualism" shape his policies during the Great Depression?

President Hoover was a big supporter of "rugged individualism," which was basically the idea that people should use their own effort to earn something. With this belief in mind, Hoover opposed any form of federal welfare or direct relief to the needy. He thought that simply giving money would decrease their "moral fiber" and get them into the habit of not trying to pick themselves back up when they know that someone will just help them do it anyway.
Hoovers way of helping the poor was by encouraging the more fortunate, wealthy people, and charities to help pitch in to aid these needy people. He said that the federal government should care for relief measures, but not with a federal bureaucracy. Hoover said a bureaucracy would "be too expensive and would stifle individual liberties."
His policies consulted key leaders in business, banking, and labor and encouraged them to work together to solve the problems of, and improve thenation's "economic woes." As an example, he urged business employers to not cut wages or lay off workers. He Also asked the labor leaders to refrain themselves from asking for better pay or going on strike. Although Hoover tried many things to help the depression, none of them made a great amount of difference.