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The Epic Interactive Encyclopedia 1998
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Epic Interactive Encyclopedia, The - 1998 Edition (1998)(Epic Marketing).iso
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New_Deal
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1992-09-01
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In US history, programme introduced by
President F D Roosevelt 1933 to counter the
depression of 1929, including employment on
public works, farm loans at low rates, and
social reforms such as old-age and
unemployment insurance, prevention of child
labour, protection of employees against
unfair practices by employers, and loans to
local authorities for slum clearance. Many of
its provisions were declared unconstitutional
by the Supreme Court 1935-36, and full
employment did not come until World War II.
The Public Works Administration was given
$3.3 billion to spend on roads, public
buildings, and similar developments (the
Tennessee Valley Authority was a separate
project). The Agricultural Adjustment
Administration raised agricultural prices by
restriction of output. In 1935 Harry L
Hopkins was put in charge of a new agency,
the Works Progress Administration (WPA),
which in addition to taking over the public
works created something of a cultural
revolution with its federal theatre,
writers', and arts projects. When the WPA was
disbanded 1943 it had found employment for
8.5 million people. The New Deal encouraged
the growth of trade-union membership, brought
previously unregulated areas of the US
economy under federal control, and
revitalized cultural life and community
spirit. Although it did not succeed in
restoring full prosperity, it did bring
political stability to the
industrial-capitalist system.