1914-1939 Government Policy Analysis

He promised that the government would intervene in the economy to provide relief for the great depression, he proposed a ‘new deal’ that would give millions of Americans jobs and create a more stable US economy. “Roosevelt faced the greatest crisis in America since the Civil War.” (Franklin D. Roosevelt Biography). In the beginning of his presidency, he began to make good on his promises, he created many agencies and associations to help get the economy under control and to help lower the unemployment rate. As the economy was stabilizing and the unemployment rates and GDP were beginning to rise back up to normal levels, he fell under criticism for putting too much power in the government’s hands for controlling the economy. He was also accused of putting the nation into debt and not managing the national budget very well.

The United States began to enter a prosperous and increasing period after the civil war known as industrialization. Despite the fact that industrialization led the United States to wealth, it also led it to many social and economic problems during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. During this time, Upton Sinclair and Andrew Carnegie were the people who responded to the economic and social problems generated by industrialization. Andrew Carnegie was one of the wealthy men in America and was very charitable, he impacted the United States with his steel to transform cities. During these economic and social problems generated by industrialization, he responded by providing money to fund charities.

With the rise of monopolies, small companies and farmers suffered immensely likewise wages were cutback which led to many strikes and boycotts throughout the nation. However, Monopolies also lowered prices for various goods. Wealth increased due to the rich investing it and expanding new markets, which opened new job opportunities for non-skilled and skilled workers alike. Many companies also made it their duty to improve the community by funding myriad

Cole argues that immigration stimulates the economy by creating new jobs and contributing billions in revenue each year. He also argues that immigrants create more in taxes paid than the government funded services they partake in. Cole argues that illegal immigrants are not allowed to receive most benefit programs anyway. Chiswick disagrees and argues that immigration is hurting the economy. He states by having so many of them taking up the low-skilled working jobs in America they are actually creating an increase in wage inequality.

The trend of deflation intensified. The reason that nobody warned America of deflation was due to false prosperity. The 1920’s were called “the Roaring Twenties”, while mainstream culture at this time supported that it was a time better than anytime before then there were many misconceptions with masses of people at this time (Facts). America was very dependent on production and 42% of people were impoverished. Poverty in 1920’s America was defined by making less than a certain amount of money each year, which was determined by the government (BBC).

The economic elements of 1861-1865 were very different for the North and the South. The North was doing very well, compared to the South. In the North they had to lay-off many workers and close down the textile industries because of the scarcity of cotton. However, the “arms, metalworking, boot making, and shipbuilding industries” were booming in the North (Keene, 391). The wages of the workers rose by about 40 percent, but the prices of goods rose at the same pace as the inflation rate averaged about 15 percent annually (Keene, 391).

The New Deal had a positive effect on the American people by the jobs it created. “His administration also established the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which employed millions of young men, mostly urban, to work in camps at national parks and forests on conservation and reforestation projects” (“New Deal”). This shows that the New Deal had a positive effect by creating jobs because this New Deal program helped surmount the very exorbitant unemployment rates. Now, all these men can get money from their new job. Another way this evidence shows that the New

In this period, known as the Great Depression, unemployments rates hit record highs and the American people had low morale. Franklin D. Roosevelt was the president during these years and he was able to turn things around. Through a combination of his attitude of hope and new bills, he motivated America to make the changes necessary to escape this economic crisis. He created a series of programs called the New Deal from which everyone benefitted. These programs created jobs, overhauled the bank system, improved insurance, and allowed more uses of federal loans.

The 19th century was the era of the Gilded Age, where the economy was booming, bringing great changes that affected the lives of workers and entrepreneurs. During this period, there was a large influx of immigrants that were coming to America to look for job opportunities. The migration of immigrants proved useful as a source for cheap labor, allowing an even higher rise in the U.S. economy. While American industrialization may have benefited the upper class of the American society, the effects were opposite to the workers of the lower classes. This problem was especially worse for immigrant workers as their belief in the so-called American dream has been worn down due to the misery they had to endure.

Poverty and the Working Poor “When the poor or newly poor are asked to define poverty, however, they talk not only about what’s in the wallet but what’s in the mind or the heart” (Shipler 10). The United States of America is a place which has an enormous population filled with foreigners and immigrants. Many enter America to get a better job, a fresh start, and to live the American Dream. In the 21st century, the gap between the rich and the poor has greatly widened even though America’s economy has skyrocketed as the years go by. Poverty has been a major issue due to various occasions but people who are in the middle and higher classes do not know the hardships these poor workers go through just so that they could have a chance to own valuables.