US National Archives
Our Documents: Tennessee Valley Authority Act (1933)
An actual interactive copy of the original Tennessee Valley Authority Act that created cheap power in the Tennessee Valley. Links to larger images, a typed transcript, and a downloadable .PDF file are included on this site. Make sure to...
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: Presidential Statement on n.i.r.a.
Text of a speech given by Franklin D. Roosevelt after he signed the bill known as the National Industrial Recovery Act. Discusses purposes and intended impact of the legislation.
Other
Au: Frances Perkins on the Social Security Act (1935)
Here is a speech given by Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor in the administration of Franklin Roosevelt, praising the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935. See how this groundbreaking legislation would help the elderly, disabled,...
Other
Ss Bulletin: Constitutional Background to the Social Security Act of 1935 [Pdf]
A very interesting discussion of the potential problems that plagued the implementation of the Social Security Act. Read about the cases brought before the Supreme Court which gave Congress the constitutional ability to tax and spend for...
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: The Wpa: Antidote to the Great Depression?
[Free Registration/Login Required] A good assessment of the Works Progress Administration and its contribution not only of providing jobs for the unemployed during the Great Depression, but for the lasting improvements it made in the...
PBS
Wnet: Thirteen: Freedom: A History of the u.s: New Deal
Read about Franklin Roosevelt's background, his political experience before he was elected president in 1932, and his actions to help the people of the United States in the grips of the Great Depression.
Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History
Gilder Lehrman Institute: History Now: The New Deal
[Free Registration/Login Required] Read about the New Deal, its programs, and the ways it helped a nation in the grips of the Great Depression. The New Deal was not universally popular, so find out what Franklin Roosevelt did to keep the...
OpenStax
Open Stax: Franklin Roosevelt and the New Deal 1932 1941: The First New Deal
Examines the legislation enacted under Roosevelt's First New Deal; what was good, bad, and effective under this New Deal; and what the scope of Roosevelt's plan was for fixing the U.S. economy.
Digital History
Digital History: Franklin Roosevelt and the Depression [Pdf]
After reading brief biographical information about Franklin Roosevelt, find out what he did immediately upon being sworn in as president in 1933. Find out about the legislation that aimed to encourage trust in banks, and the legislation...
Digital History
Digital History: President Roosevelt and the Wpa [Pdf]
Franklin Roosevelt had to deal with the Great Depression quickly when he became president in 1932. Read about the early New Deal legislation, how the money was spent, and who administered the programs. Find out about the Works Progress...
Digital History
Digital History: More Like the Tva? [Pdf]
Read the history of the Tennessee River Valley and the tension between private enterprise and government in the development of electricity and, surprisingly, fertilizer. Find out how the Tennessee Valley Authority was developed during...
Digital History
Digital History: Roosevelt's Critics
This article lays out criticism of President Roosevelt and his handling of the Great Depression and the New Deal. Read about three men who developed a great following by insisting that the New Deal did not go far enough and not enough...
US National Archives
Nara: Social Security Act
See the first page of the Social Security Act from the National Archives date stamped August 12, 1935. FDR signed the act into law two days later.
Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Comission
Expore Pa History: Pa and the Great Depression: Public Works and Organized Labor
A good look at how the Great Depression affected Pennsylvania. See how New Deal legislation brought relief to the unemployed in Pennsylvania after 1936.
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: An Extemporaneous Address at Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, Ny
Text of a speech by Franklin D. Roosevelt on the National Recovery Act and encouraging citizen involvement in government.
New Deal Network
New Deal: Dear Mrs. Roosevelt: The Nya
A brief description of how Eleanor Roosevelt helped to establish the National Youth Administration her reasons behind it.
Other
Us Department of Labor: Jshq: Remembering Frances Perkins
A biography of Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor under Franklin Roosevelt, from the Job Safety and Health Quarterly. A good description of her tireless work in improving working conditions in the United States. (Published Fall 2002)
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: We Do Our Part But
Article that appeared in Opportunity: A Journal of Negro Life in September 1933. Points out that the labor codes in the National Industrial Recovery Act would not cover black laborers.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Fdr's Alphabet Soup
Amazing number of agencies formed as a result of New Deal legislation. Read about the agencies and legislation whose acronyms have become part of governmental history.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: A Bank Holiday
Actions taken by Franklin D. Roosevelt upon becoming president in 1933. Read about how he took immediate steps to restore confidence in the banking segment of the American economy.
Oklahoma Historical Society
Encyclopedia of Oklahoma History & Culture: Works Progress Administration
Read a brief description of the Works Progress Administration and its goals in general. Following that is a more in-depth look at the WPA and its impact on employment and projects in Oklahoma.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Putting Pople Back to Work
Read about the many programs that were part of Roosevelt's New Deal that targeted at getting the unemployed back to work.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: Social Security
See how the relationship between the government and its citizens was changed with the passage of the Social Security Act in 1935.
Independence Hall Association
U.s. History: The Farming Problem
The farm crisis began years before the stock market crash and was made worse by the Great Depression. Read about the legislation that was passed to stabilize commodity prices and help farmers stay on their farms.