New Deal Programs Graphic Organizer
Background
FDR’s New Deal Programs were implemented in two phases. The First New Deal was focused on
fixing the Bank Crisis and providing immediate relief to Americans and took place primarily between
1933-1934. The Second New Deal (1935-1936) was focused on long-term change/reform and creating
government programs designed to prevent future crises from getting as bad as the Great Depression.
These new programs were known as “alphabet agencies” because of their acronyms. These
programs were based on the theories of economist, John Maynard Keynes and were called “Keynesian
Economics.” Unlike trickle-down economics, Keynesian economics emphasizes using government
spending to put money into people’s pockets by putting them back to work in public works projects. This
encouraged consumer spending, which would stimulate the economy. Although the government would
sometimes spend more money than it was taking in (deficit spending), in the long term it got the
economy back on track.
FDR’s programs were based on the 3 R’s: Relief, Recovery, and Reform. Relief for the unemployed
and poor, recovery of the economy back to normal, and reform of the financial system to prevent
another situation like the Great Depression.
Instructions
1. For each of the programs below write out what the acronyms stand for. Then write a 1-2
sentence summary of what the program or agency did and how it helped address the issues of
the Great Depression.
2. Indicate whether a program or agency was part of the First New Deal or Second New Deal.
3. Indicate whether a program or agency was designed for Relief, Recovery, and/or Reform.
Acronym Name and Description First New Deal or Relief, Recovery,
Second New Deal and / or Reform
Ex) FDIC Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: First New Deal Reform
The FDIC insures that customer bank
accounts will be covered up to $250,000
per account in case of bank closures or
failures.
SEC Created the Securities and Exchange First New Deal Reform
Commission which allowed federal
regulation of stock trading in public
corporations.
NRA Founded the National Recovery First New Deal Recovery.
Association. This made it legal to
collaborate with industries to control
prices.
AAA Founded the Agricultural Adjustment First New Deal Relief
Administration, which helped regulate
things such as the stability of prices and
support the income of farms.
TVA Made the Tennessee Valley Authority, First new deal Reform
which designated where river basins
could go.
CCC Civilian Conservation Corps. Took jobless First New deal Relief
young men and put them in working
positions.
FERA Federal Emergency Relief Act. Gave First new deal relief
states financial support to support relief
programs
CWA Civil Works Administration. Gave money First New Deal recovery
to states to hire unemployed people to
build things like roads.
WPA Works Progress Administration. Second new deal relief
Government hired people directly to do
various projects
SSA Social Security Act. Created a system of Second new deal reform
pensions and such to aid mothers with
children.
FLSA Fair Labor Standards Act. Helped fix Second new deal reform
injustices caused by the overturning of
the National Industrial Recovery Act.
NLRA National Labor Relations Act. Better Second new deal reform
affirmed the right to bargaining,
enforced by the NLRB.
PWA Public Works Administration. Created First new deal recovery.
under the NIRA and paid private
businesses to build large-scale projects
that give people jobs.
FHA Federal Housing Act. Helped repair or First new deal reform.
salvage older homes via the use of loans.
