The Second New Deal
By the end of 1934, 10 million Americans were still out of work
So in January 1935, in his yearly message to congress, Roosevelt introduced his "second New Deal"
A broader programme of reform to help farmers, workers, the poor and the unemployed
The Works Progress Administration (WPA)
Headed by Harry Hopkins, who had previously been in charge of FERA (Federal Emergency Relief Act)
Funding and building projects, which included schools, hospitals, airports and harbours.
Organised a US$4.8 billion relief programme, put unemployed teachers back to work and created community service schemes to employ artists, writers and actors.
The National Labour Relations Act (The Wagner Act)
Roosevelt was keen to protect the rights of workers
The Wagner Act upheld the right of workers to organise and enter into collective bargaining
The number of labour union members increased from 3 million in 1933 to 9 million in 1939.
This Act also set up the national relations board, which was given the power to act against employers with unfair pracitces
Fair Labour Standards Act
Minimum wages and maximum hours were established for all employees of buisness engaged in interstate commerce
300,00 workers secured higher wages as a result and more than 1 million had a shorter working week
Child labour was not permitted except on farms.
Social Security Act
Most important reform of the the Second New Deal.
Passing this law, the government at last accepted full responsibility for meeting the basic needs of its citizens
Pension benefits for the elderly, the orphaned and those injured in industrial accidents
Unemployed benefits funded by a tax on its payrolls of employers