New Deal
Programs, public work projects and financial reforms responding to the Great Depression, 1933 - 1939
Real World Example
The New Deal was important because it aimed to relieve, recover, and reform the United States during the Great Depression, showing a democratic response to economic crisis unlike the totalitarian regimes rising in Europe. While countries like Germany and Italy turned to dictatorships for solutions, the New Deal demonstrated how democracy could adapt and help citizens through government intervention. This highlighted the ongoing tension between democracy and totalitarianism, showing that economic crises could lead to different political outcomes. Today, the New Deal's legacy influences debates on the role of government in the economy, such as discussions around healthcare and unemployment benefits. For an average person, programs like Social Security, which began during the New Deal, might provide financial support during retirement, impacting their daily financial planning.
