There are two officially recognized "New Deals." The second New Deal took place from the years of 1935 to 1938. It had a stronger focus on social reform. The well-known Social Security Act came about as a result of the Second New Deal. It created a pension fund for retired people over the age of 65 and their survivors. The pension was financed by a small payroll tax paid by both workers and employers. This act is still in effect to this day. The Works Progress Administration (WPA) provided 8.5 million Americans with jobs building highways, parks, bridges, and airports.
There was a almost socialist feel in this era. Senator Huey Long of Louisiana was seen as a potential rival for Roosevelt in 1936. Long developed his own economic recovery program, known as Share the Wealth. In it, every American family would be given $5,000 to buy a house, car, and radio. They would also be guaranteed an annual income of $2,500. Long was assassinated in 1935, but his ideas remained popular. What would have happened if Long had won the Presidency insead of
Roosevelt? Would Share the Wealth be accepted? Would we have become a socialist country?
There was a almost socialist feel in this era. Senator Huey Long of Louisiana was seen as a potential rival for Roosevelt in 1936. Long developed his own economic recovery program, known as Share the Wealth. In it, every American family would be given $5,000 to buy a house, car, and radio. They would also be guaranteed an annual income of $2,500. Long was assassinated in 1935, but his ideas remained popular. What would have happened if Long had won the Presidency insead of
Roosevelt? Would Share the Wealth be accepted? Would we have become a socialist country?