Smithsonian Institution
National Portrait Gallery: American Women: Eleanor Roosevelt
A brief account of Eleanor Roosevelt's importance to her husband's administration and agenda. Accompanied by a photograph taken by Lotte Jacobi.
Siteseen
Siteseen: American Historama: Second New Deal
Discussion of the programs and reforms launched in the period of the Second New Deal that provided for social and economic legislation to benefit the mass of working people.
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.
American Presidency Project
American Presidency Project: Franklin Roosevelt: Executive Order 7086
Read the text of President Roosevelt's executive order that established the National Youth Adminstration as part of the Works Progress Administration. Its purpose was to help young people find jobs.
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: Extemporaneous Address on Aaa to Farm Groups 14 May 1935
Text of remarks made by FDR on the effects of the Agricultural Adjustment Act and of other government programs to aid farmers.
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: The Nation: Can We Have a Housing Program?
Critique of the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and the lack of comprehensive housing programs. Appeared in "The Nation" in 1935. Interesting commentary from the time by Albert Mayer.
PBS
Pbs: American Experience: President Franklin D. Roosevelt
This companion to the PBS series surveys the career of the longest-serving president in U.S. history and leader through the Great Depression and World War II.
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.
Digital History
Digital History: Jobs Programs
The major aspect of the Great Depression was the rampant unemployment. Read about the many jobs programs that were part of the New Deal that provided employment for millions of needy Americans.
Other
Amistad Digital Resource: The Great Depression
Provides discussion on the Great Depression, the effect this economic crisis had on African American families, and how Roosevelt's New Deal provided relief for black people.
Social Security Administration
Social Security Online: Frances Perkins
Biography of Frances Perkins and her role in passing the Social Security Act. Includes personal quotes and links to other sites with more information on her service to Franklin Roosevelt.
US Department of Labor
U.s. Department of Labor: Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
Read about the struggle Franklin D. Roosevelt had in trying to get the Fair Labor Standards Act passed. With public support, he continued to push the ideas presented in the law until it finally was enacted into law.
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,...
Department of Defense
Do Dea: Ap Us History: Unit 7: Facing Challenges at Home and Abroad
This extensive learning module examines the role of economic fluctuations in creating new demands on the government to design reforms and how the United States became a dominant military, political, cultural, and economic force in the...
Other
Schs: Fdr and the Court Packing Controversy
A narrated slideshow detailing the problems Franklin Roosevelt ran up against with putting his New Deal plans into effect. The conservative justices on the Supreme Court determined that many of the reforms were unconstitutional. Find out...
Other
New York Historical Society: Fdr's First Hundred Days
This exhibit allows us to see the first hundred days of Franklin Delano Roosevelt's term as president. Includes photos and political cartoons.
Social Security Administration
Social Security Onilne: Fdr's Statements on Social Security
The Social Security Administration offers texts of thirteen addresses made by Franklin D. Roosevelt on the issue of Social Security. A great resource for primary source material on this topic.
Library of Economics and Liberty
Concise Encyclopedia of Economics: Great Depression
For upper level classes and abilities only. A very scholarly explanation of the causes of the Great Depression and steps Franklin Roosevelt to end it. An excellent source due to its thorough analysis and detail.
Other
Historical Thinking Matters: Social Security
Learn about Social Security and the New Deal at this inquiry-based site. Contains many primary source documents for students to critique, a timeline, video, audio, assignments and a WebQuest.
Teaching American History
Teaching American History: From Political Liberty to Social Freedom
In the early stages of the new nation's government the members of Congress sought to protect the citizens from political tyranny. Social freedoms emerged in the twentieth century when FDR begged for economic protection of U.S. citizens.
New Deal Network
New Deal Network: Works of Fdr: A Message to the Congress on Social Security
Text of FDR's speech to Congress on January 17, 1935, regarding Social Security.
Country Studies US
Country Studies: United States History: The Second New Deal
This site describes how as a result of mounting criticisms and a need for more economic relief and recovery, FDR introduced another series of programs, known as the Second New Deal, aimed at fighting unemployment and poverty and...
University of Virginia
Miller Center at Uva: u.s. Presidents: Fdr: Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, First Lady
This site from the Miller Center of Public Affairs gives a detailed biography of the life of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The page also provides links to the biography of her husband, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as well as his Cabinet...
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...