Did New Deal End Great Depression? — Reading Comprehension

The Great Depression began in 1929 when the stock market crashed, resulting in a severe economic crisis in the United States. As unemployment soared and businesses failed, Americans faced hardship on an unprecedented scale. By 1933, nearly a quarter of all workers were jobless. This national emergency required immediate and innovative action.

Franklin D. Roosevelt, elected president in 1932, responded with a series of government programs called the New Deal. Roosevelt's main goal was to provide relief for the unemployed, reform the financial system, and promote economic recovery. The New Deal included agencies like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which created millions of jobs building roads, parks, and public buildings.

However, not everyone agreed on the effectiveness of the New Deal. Supporters argued that the government needed to take bold steps to help Americans in crisis. As Roosevelt said in his 1933 inaugural address, "The only thing we have to fear is fear itself." This famous statement encouraged the country to act with confidence, even in difficult times. The New Deal programs, supporters believed, gave hope and practical assistance to those in need.

Critics, meanwhile, felt the New Deal went too far or not far enough. Some conservatives worried that too much government involvement would hurt individual freedom and private business. Others, including some labor leaders and reformers, thought the New Deal did not do enough to help the poor and unemployed. These contrasting perspectives highlight the complex debate over the role of government in solving economic problems.

Although the New Deal provided vital infrastructure and reduced immediate suffering, it did not fully end the Great Depression. Unemployment remained high throughout the 1930s. Economic recovery was slow and uneven across different regions and groups. Historians point out that the outbreak of World War II in 1939 led to massive government spending and new jobs, which finally brought the United States out of the depression.

Despite its limits, the New Deal fundamentally changed the relationship between citizens and the federal government. Programs such as Social Security and banking reforms are still in place today. The New Deal showed that government could be a force for stability, but also raised questions about its power and responsibility.

In conclusion, the New Deal did not completely end the Great Depression by itself. It helped millions of Americans survive tough times and reshaped the nation's economic policies. Understanding this era requires examining both its achievements and its shortcomings, as well as the many voices that shaped its legacy.

Interesting Fact: The term "New Deal" was inspired by a phrase in Roosevelt's speech: "I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people."

When did the Great Depression begin?

Who was president during the New Deal?

What agency built roads and parks?

What was one main goal of the New Deal?

What did critics fear about the New Deal?

What finally ended the Great Depression?

The New Deal completely ended the Great Depression.

What is 'infrastructure' in the passage?