3. The Great Depression and the New Deal
The Great Depression, beginning in 1929, plunged the United States into unprecedented economic turmoil, with unemployment soaring and widespread poverty. In response, President Franklin D. Roosevelt introduced the New Deal, a series of programs and reforms aimed at providing relief, fostering recovery, and preventing future economic crises. Key initiatives included the establishment of the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which created millions of jobs through public works projects. Additionally, the Social Security Act of 1935 introduced a safety net for the elderly and unemployed, fundamentally reshaping the federal government’s role in American society. These measures not only alleviated immediate hardships but also laid the foundation for a more resilient and equitable economic system (fdrlibrary.org).
