What were FDR's New Deal programs and what problems did they attack?

President Franklin D. Roosevelt launched his New Deal programs to try to deal with the effects of the Great Depression. There were many programs that were part of the New Deal. These programs tried to bring relief to the American people, recovery to the economy, and reform the economic system.

There were several relief and recovery programs. Many of these programs created jobs for the American people. The Civilian Conservation Corps created jobs for young, unemployed people who went to the West to work on conservation programs. The Public Works Administration and the Civil Works Administration were also programs that created jobs. These programs provided jobs for people to work on various construction projects including airports, roads, bridges, and schools. The Agricultural Adjustment Act was designed to help farmers. Farmers were paid not to grow crops. There were too many crops in the market, which helped keep prices of crops very low. The Home Owners Loan Corporation helped some people refinance their mortgages at lower interest rates.

There were programs designed to reform the economy to try to prevent another depression from occurring. The Glass-Steagall Act prevented commercial banks from investing in the stock market. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation was created to provide insurance for savings accounts. This was done to try to restore confidence in the banking system. People could put money into their saving accounts knowing their money was safe. The Securities Act was designed to deal with the stock market. Companies were required to provide complete and truthful information to investors. The Securities and Exchange Commission was established to regulate the stock market and to prevent fraud.

President Roosevelt hoped these New Deal programs would reinvigorate the economy and place the United States on the road to recovery.