Grade 12 CAPS – New Deal History Essay
Herbet Hoover was defeated in the 1932 presidential elections. Americas new president,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, promised change to the citizens of America. He understood that
Capitalism was threatened and that something had to be done to recover it. The ‘new deal’
is the term used to define the economic policies Roosevelt implemented to help save the
economy through organisations, creating jobs and precautions. People were despondent
which worked in his favour.
President Roosevelt disliked the idea of socialism and government ownership but recognized
that some government intervention would be needed to help the economy. He had three
main goals. Firstly, to provide relief to those who were badly affected by the depression.
Secondly, recovery of the economy by putting industries back to work and providing jobs
that pay. Lastly, he wanted to introduce financial reforms throughout the economic system
to prevent the USA from facing a similar crisis in the future. He implemented multiple
organisations and agencies to help rebuild the country and reduce pain and suffering.
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) gave money to the states to help them
in assisting the unemployed and homeless. 1 dollar was given for every 3 people. Millions of
dollars were spent on providing basic necessities such as food, clothing and temporary
housing. The government didn’t like giving free handouts and were more concerned about
the recovery of work. Even so, this eased the suffering of thousands who were hungry and
needed security.
The US army and US Forestry service organised camps for the civilian conservation corps
(CCC). Young men were offered food, shelter and money in return for six months of
conservation work. Thousands of trees were planted and reservoirs and forest roads were
built. Environmentally, this benefited the country, it gave employment to men and although
pay was low, it put money and relief into the hands of people who didn’t have it before.
The Civil Works Administration (CWA) ran only for a year but assisted in the creation of
airports and schools. It also opened the door for employment for people in arts and
literature such as writers, artists and actors. The agency carried out various creative projects.
This did provide work for a period of time even though it was short-lived and did not have
much value.
The states in the south suffered from drought and inadequate resources to farm
productively. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) assisted farmers who needed help or had
lost their jobs. Trees were grown, dams were built and agriculture was revived. This gave
farmers hope and purpose as well as employment and pay. It was a step closer to better
food security and lifestyle which lifted a burden off of many.
So many career and job opportunities were lost but a huge construction agency could assist.
The Public Works Administration restored roads, buildings, schools etc. Cities were being
revitalised and new businesses meant new work and money. The PWA also had a positive
*Please note that this is CONTENT and, in the exam, to achieve a distinction, link every paragraph
with the topic to ensure your essay answers the question in the most logical way. A proper
introduction and conclusion will also contribute to a distinction. Content alone will only earn you a
max of about 70-75%.
Herbet Hoover was defeated in the 1932 presidential elections. Americas new president,
Franklin Delano Roosevelt, promised change to the citizens of America. He understood that
Capitalism was threatened and that something had to be done to recover it. The ‘new deal’
is the term used to define the economic policies Roosevelt implemented to help save the
economy through organisations, creating jobs and precautions. People were despondent
which worked in his favour.
President Roosevelt disliked the idea of socialism and government ownership but recognized
that some government intervention would be needed to help the economy. He had three
main goals. Firstly, to provide relief to those who were badly affected by the depression.
Secondly, recovery of the economy by putting industries back to work and providing jobs
that pay. Lastly, he wanted to introduce financial reforms throughout the economic system
to prevent the USA from facing a similar crisis in the future. He implemented multiple
organisations and agencies to help rebuild the country and reduce pain and suffering.
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) gave money to the states to help them
in assisting the unemployed and homeless. 1 dollar was given for every 3 people. Millions of
dollars were spent on providing basic necessities such as food, clothing and temporary
housing. The government didn’t like giving free handouts and were more concerned about
the recovery of work. Even so, this eased the suffering of thousands who were hungry and
needed security.
The US army and US Forestry service organised camps for the civilian conservation corps
(CCC). Young men were offered food, shelter and money in return for six months of
conservation work. Thousands of trees were planted and reservoirs and forest roads were
built. Environmentally, this benefited the country, it gave employment to men and although
pay was low, it put money and relief into the hands of people who didn’t have it before.
The Civil Works Administration (CWA) ran only for a year but assisted in the creation of
airports and schools. It also opened the door for employment for people in arts and
literature such as writers, artists and actors. The agency carried out various creative projects.
This did provide work for a period of time even though it was short-lived and did not have
much value.
The states in the south suffered from drought and inadequate resources to farm
productively. The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) assisted farmers who needed help or had
lost their jobs. Trees were grown, dams were built and agriculture was revived. This gave
farmers hope and purpose as well as employment and pay. It was a step closer to better
food security and lifestyle which lifted a burden off of many.
So many career and job opportunities were lost but a huge construction agency could assist.
The Public Works Administration restored roads, buildings, schools etc. Cities were being
revitalised and new businesses meant new work and money. The PWA also had a positive
*Please note that this is CONTENT and, in the exam, to achieve a distinction, link every paragraph
with the topic to ensure your essay answers the question in the most logical way. A proper
introduction and conclusion will also contribute to a distinction. Content alone will only earn you a
max of about 70-75%.
