New Deal Programs

The Agriculture Adjustment Administration (AAA) of 1933 raised farm prices through subsidies. It paid farmers not to raise certain crops and livestock, hoping that lower production would cause prices to rise. The Supreme Court struck down the tax that funded AAA subsidies to farmers. The Civil Works Administration (CWA) was a public works program funding jobs ranging from ditch digging to highway repairs to teaching. Created in November 1933, it was criticized as “make work” and abandoned in the spring of 1934. It provided a psychological and physical boost to its 4 million workers.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

The Civil Works Administration (CWA) was a public program funding jobs ranging from ditch digging to highway repairs to teaching. Created in November 1933, it was criticized as “make work” and abandoned in the spring of 1934. It provided a psychological and physical boost to its 4 million workers.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

The Revenue Act of 1935 (Wealth Tax Act) raised the tax rate on individual incomes that exceeded $50,000 and also increased rates on the income and profits of corporations.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

The Works Progress Administration (WPA) was a part of the second phase of the New Deal. From 1935 until 1943, this agency provided work for about 3 million workers at a time. By 1943, it had helped between 8 million and 9 million people. Under the WPA, buildings, roads, airports and schools were constructed. Actors, painters, musicians and writers were employed through the Federal Theatre Project, the Federal Art Project and the Federal Writers Project.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) The Tennessee Valley Authority was created for the economic development of the Tennessee River watershed. Many jobs were created as a result of 20 dams built to control flooding, generate electricity and increase agricultural production.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

The Social Security Act of 1935 established the administration of a national pension fund for the aged and unemployed, as well as public assistance for dependent mothers, children and disabled people. It was financed by a payroll tax based on employer and employee contributions.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) of 1934 required full disclosure of information on stocks being sold. The SEC regulated the stock market. Congress also gave the Federal Reserve Board the power to regulate the purchase of stock on margin.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

The Rural Electrification Administration (REA) of 1935 offered loans to electric companies and farm cooperatives for building power plants and extending power lines.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

The Public Works Administration (PWA) of 1933 launched projects, such as the Grand Coulee Dam on the Columbia River. It was intended both for industrial recovery and unemployment relief. Eventually more than $4 billion was spent on 34,000 construction projects. One of these projects was San Francisco’s Golden Gate Bridge.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination

National Youth Administration (NYA) created under the Emergency Relief Act of 1935, provided more than 4.5 million jobs for young people. It gave part-time employment to students, established training programs and provided aid to unemployed youth.

• Relief

• Reform

• Recovery/ Combination