The stock market panic preceded an economic depression that not only spread over the United States but in the early 1930s became worldwide. In

the United States, despite the optimistic statements of President Herbert Hoover and his secretary of the treasury, Andrew W. Mellon, that business was sound and that a new era of prosperity was just about to begin but by 1932 hundreds of banks had failed, hundreds of mills and factories had closed, mortgages on farms and houses were being foreclosed in large numbers, and more than 10 million workers were unemployed1.

The presidential campaign of that year, in which the Democratic candida

second Schmeling fight, Louis became a hero for the World War II war effort, gave inspirational speeches, and helped with recruiting11.

te was Franklin D. Roosevelt, was waged on the issues of Prohibition and the economic crisis. The Democratic platform called for outright repeal of the 18th Amendment and promised a "new deal" in economic and social matters to bring about recovery from the depression. The Republicans did not call for outright repeal of the amendment. In regard to the depression, they warned against the danger to business and the national finances if the social and economic philosophies of the Democrats were substituted for the sound and conservative ideas of the Hoover administration. The Democrats won an overwhelming success in the election, carrying all but six states2.

With the election of Roosevelt came the New Deal. The National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA) was the most innovative early New Deal measure. It provided for two major recovery programs vastly expanded public works effort, carried out by the Public Works Administration, and a complex program to regulate American business and ensure fair competition. The National Recovery Administration approved and enforced a set of competitive codes for each industry to help ensure fair competition in each. By 1935, several Roosevelt advisers welcomed massive new federal expenditures to induce more private demand, even at the price of budget deficits. A huge relief appropriation of almost $5 billion reinvigorated several programs and funded a new federalized work relief program administered by the Works Progress Administration (WPA). Perhaps of greatest enduring significance, Congress in 1935 enacted the Social Security Act, which contained three major programs: retirement fund, unemployment insurance, and welfare grants for local distribution (including aid for dependent children)3.

needle skyscraper set beside a huge sphere), were erected as architectural symbols. The perisphere enclosed a large model of a future city. More than 57 million persons attended the fair during its two seasons. Many companies gained their fame at the World's Fair. General Electric, Warner Brothers, Maytag and more all showed off their new products, quickly ushering back in the mass consumerism in America12.

legislation that would add more judges to the Supreme Court, but Congress rejected this "court-packing" attempt. The pressures for new legislation abated after 1937, and opposition to extending the New Deal mounted rapidly, especially in the South. By 1939 public attention focused increasingly on foreign policy and national defense. The New Deal was over, but it had permanently expanded the role of the federal government, particularly in economic regulation, resource development, and income maintenance4.

democracy. The two boxers fought again in a 1938 rematch. Louis won the bout in one round, and Americans celebrated the victo

Some topics in this essay:
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