When FDR came into the presidency he promised to act swiftly in order to help the nation face the dark realities of the moment. FDR wasted no time in implementing his plan for economic recovery, which would come to be known as the New Deal. When we talk of the New Deal we often link it to the 3 Rs ( Relief, Reform & Recovery).  He implemented various programs, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, which aimed to create jobs and provide financial assistance to those struggling the most. One of the most significant pieces of legislation passed during this time was the Glass-Steagall Act, which separated commercial and investment banking and aimed to prevent another stock market crash.

Today we are joined by Neil Maher, a history professor at NJIT and author. He’s written multiple books but his book, Nature's New Deal: The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Roots of the American Environmental Movement is the focus of our discussion today.

Some of the other programs we discuss include:

Works Progress Administration (WPA)

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)

The FDIC

The Social Security Administration (SSA)

Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)

National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA)

Public Works Administration (PWA)

The Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA)

That is a lot of letters and acronyms that Jeananne will get into!

Always more to learn...see you on the other side.

Jimmy & Jean