Sandhya Kattel
History 334-51
Date: Feb 22, 2016
New Deal Paper
According to Conkin “From almost any perspective, the New Deal solved a few
problems, ameliorated others, obscured many, and created unanticipated new ones. This is about
all our political system can generate, even in a crisis.” Paul Conking argues that by year 1938
the new deal was over and according to Kennedy “the Great Depression was a rare political
opportunity, and Roosevelt made the most of it, to the nation’s lasting benefit.” in my view new
deal introduced by President Franklin D. Roosevelt did more good to the country than bad. I
agree with David Kennedy that the new dal was not temporary plan but it was for the greater
good of Americans for generations to come.
Paul Conkin provided many arguments on why the new failed. In 1933 almost al
Americans were concerned about overcoming great depression. The early legislation reflected
one central goal- early economic recovery. After 1934 the most significant new deal measure
dealt more directly with the immediate economic needs of individuals , families or exploited
groups. As per Cokin these deals failed to recover economy but changed the foundation of
American economy. David Kennedy argues still longer answer would recognize the connection
between FDR’s short-term economic policy failure and the New Deal’s long-term political
success.
On the matter of social security Cokins argues that Social Security Act was part of
New Deal, which underwrote vast apparatus of security. “the meager benefits of social security
were insignificant in comparison to the building system of security for large, established firms
and large commercial farms. But like stingy laborers, the frightened businessmen did not use this
security thus increased it.” But David Kennedy says A measure of security was the New Deal’s
gift to millions of Americans, farmers and workers, immigrants and blue-bloods, children and the
elderly, as well as countless industrialists, bankers, merchants, mortgage-lenders, and
homebuyers, not to mention enormous tracts of forest, prairie, and mountain. I think Social
Security was very crucial program, which has become inseparable part of Americans to this day.
During the time of great depression it came out to end immediate crises as well as provide long-
term security net for elderly. They profoundly shaped the fates of Americans born long after the
Depression crisis had passed. With the exception of FDIC, none of them dates from 1933. Had
economic health been miraculously restored in the fabled Hundred Days, a swift return to
