Summer School 7: The Great Depression, the New Deal and how it changed our economy
Aug 21, 2024
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Explore the dramatic transformation in government-business relationships during the Great Depression. Discover how the 1929 stock market crash led to staggering unemployment and bank failures. Delve into FDR's fireside chats and the decision to abandon the gold standard, which altered monetary policy forever. Hear about the power dynamics within labor as workers organized for rights amidst economic turmoil. The discussion highlights pivotal moments in labor history that reshaped the workforce and union landscape in America.
The intervention of government during the Great Depression marked a significant shift towards utilizing fiscal policy to stabilize the U.S. economy.
The establishment of workers' rights during the New Deal empowered labor unions, contributing to a stronger middle class and improved working conditions.
Deep dives
The Prelude to the Great Depression
In the 1920s, the United States experienced significant economic growth and established a single paper currency backed by a central bank, creating a sense of stability. This era, characterized by laissez-faire capitalism, reflected a belief that minimal government intervention would allow the economy to self-regulate effectively. However, underlying issues such as excessive consumer and government debt, in conjunction with vast wealth inequality, began to destabilize this optimism. The convergence of these factors ultimately culminated in the stock market crash of 1929, setting the stage for the Great Depression.
The Gold Standard Crisis
The initial response to the economic turmoil of the Great Depression was hampered by the constraints of the gold standard, which limited the ability to increase money supply or lower interest rates during a crisis. As people lost faith in paper currency, many began converting dollars into gold, exacerbating bank failures and contributing to widespread unemployment. Central banks, bound by the gold standard, raised interest rates to preserve gold reserves, further stifling economic growth. This misguided approach prompted critical reflections from economists who recognized that, in times of economic distress, reducing interest rates would be a more effective strategy.
Roosevelt's Revolutionary Shift
President Franklin D. Roosevelt faced the daunting task of reviving a collapsing economy, leading to a pivotal decision to abandon the gold standard and adopt a fiat currency system. By expediting this change, Roosevelt liberated the government to inject money into the economy, enabling the implementation of the New Deal, which sought to rectify the financial system and provide immediate relief to citizens. This transition also marked a shift in economic philosophy, allowing for government intervention to stabilize and stimulate the economy during periods of deflation. The measures taken during this period laid the groundwork for reshaping economic management in modern America.
Labor Rights and Unionization
The Great Depression severely undermined workers’ rights, as unemployment soared to 25% and wages plummeted. However, as the economy began to recover with the help of the New Deal, new legislation guaranteed workers' rights to unionize, empowering them to negotiate better conditions. A significant turning point came with a notable sit-down strike at General Motors, where organized labor demanded recognition and negotiation rights. This strike not only marked a victory for workers in the auto industry but also catalyzed a nationwide surge in union membership, fostering a stronger middle class and enhancing labor power in America.
When we last left the United States of America in our economic telling of history, it was the early 1900s and the country's leaders were starting to feel like they had the economic situation all figured out. Flash forward a decade or so, and the financial picture was still looking pretty good as America emerged from the first World War.
But then, everything came crashing down with the stock market collapse of 1929. Businesses closed, banks collapsed, one in four people was unemployed, families couldn't make rent, the economy was broken. And this was happening all over the world. Today we'll look at how leaders around the globe intervened to turn the international economy around, and in the process, how the Great Depression rapidly transformed the relationship between government and business forever.
This series is hosted by Robert Smith and produced by Audrey Dilling. Our project manager is Devin Mellor. This episode was edited by Planet Money Executive Producer Alex Goldmark and fact-checked by Sofia Shchukina.