Essay Sample on The Success of The New Deal

In the year 1933, the US president Franklin Delano Roosevelt launched a series of government schemes known as the new deal. This ran from 1933 (during the horrors inflicted by the Wall Street Crash) till 1943 (midway WW2). The aims of the program were to combat a large scale of unemployment and to stimulate the economy of America. This was to restore the legacy of America’s success and heal the economic loss caused by some of the most brutal years in American history. Some people agree the program was a success because it did for fill its main assignment however other opinions contradict as they strongly believe it was way to exclusive and had more desolating side affects than good ones – which they’re right to think. In my essay, I shall discuss to what extent the new deal was a success in supporting America in difficult times evaluating impacts on people, the government, environment and the overall country.

Some believe the new deal was very successful because it provided a wide circulation of job opportunities for American Citizens, decreasing unemployment healing the economic crash of the time. The source “Freedom from fear” composed by David M Kennedy clearly addresses the “New deal gave to countless Americans, who had never much of it a sense of security, with it a sense of having stake in their country.” As well as “all without shredding the American Constitution or sundering the American people. Which was “no small accomplishment” is restoring dignity and accomplishment in the country. This source hyperbolises the success of the New Deal program forcing the reader of the extract to witness the positive impacts of the new deal project like security (eg: of homes), pride and community (which was “never seen much before” evoking them to truly believe Franklin Delano Roosevelt’s program was a success as it improved quality of life evoking a better future for the people while strengthening the country’s economy and retaining the governments excellent reputations. This is a weak argument because it doesn’t incorporate the hidden desolating side – affects caused by the scheme (such as harm to the environment, unsustainability and “elitism” based on colour) or consider alternative viewpoints on the topic. So some believe the new deal was successful as it demolished the main issues distorting the country – however I strongly disagree as it caused more issues than it fixed not underpinned in this debate.

On the contrary others would rebuttal the program wasn’t that successful at supporting America as it evoked exclusiveness and segregation in between the white Americans and minorities such as African Americans. It didn’t reach out to the most vulnerable and isolated members of society due to legitimisation of disparity and discrimination, which is contextually significant as this was common in the early 1900s. for example, the source “The limits of liberty” crafted by “Maldwyn A Jones” depicts: the scheme had “catastrophic effect in the rural south” where most “black” American victims were hit “hardest by the depression” and “ Roosevelt proved unresponsive to demands of Black civil rights”. This underscores the brutal segregation of race evoked by Roosevelt’s snobbery in choosing whom to help and whom not which may be a reason why “10 million worker were still without jobs” at the close of the program underlining the uneven distribution of aid to citizens of America due to legitimation of disparity. This perfectly encapsulates the extent of how futile the scheme was at supporting America as a whole because it only really helped the affluent majority, instead of the most susceptible. This a strong argument as it exposes the unheard reality of the New Deal project. So others view on Roosevelts project contradict and they believe the programme isn’t as successful as widespread propaganda (such as campaigns) have elevated it to.

In conclusion some believe the programme was a success as it magnificently moving America out of its most difficult times inflicted by the Great Depression, Wall Street Crash, WW1, and WW2 by providing security in jobs evoking a sense of belonginess and contentment in society which was “no small accomplishment” according to them. However, others disagree, as they argue that the program was way too exclusive and unfair for minorities such as African American having “catastrophic effects” on the lives of whom were “hit hardest by the depression”. Finally, I strongly believe the New Deal was a major failure because “Roosevelt proved unresponsive to” civil rights and equality of all (including minorities like African Americans) who were mostly affected by the past tragedies so failed to adjust the programme to serve and cater for the whole of America. Therefore making it a disappointment and not that successful.