Was the New Deal a Good Deal?

The New Deal was introduced by President Franklin Roosevelt’s administration in 1932.
His promise to help the American people out of the Great Depression included the creation of dozens of government agencies that would increase employment rates, stabilize and regulate the economy, and provide relief for Americans who were suffering financially. According to Tennessee State Historian Dr. Carroll Van West, “Tennesseans in the 1930s understood, to different degrees of course, that the New Deal changed their relationship with the federal government. They were exchanging local control and traditions for federal money and expertise. People of the Depression decade realized they were experiencing change—some of it good, some of it indifferent, and some of it for the worse.  

Grand Canyon National Park, a free government service, 1938

The United States’ National Park Service includes 59 parks and 417 sites. During the New Deal era, the
Department of the Interior published posters created by Works Projects Administration (WPA) artists to promote national parks.

Questions to answer and discuss:

Remember to cite evidence in your response.

What parks are you familiar with. Have you ever visited a national park site? Why are national parks important? Why did the WPA focus on promoting them?  Think about Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and what other programs are still current today and their benefits.

Respond to one classmate in at least 100 words.

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• Collapse SubdiscussionJada MenuauJada Menuau
  ThursdayJul 30 at 1:16pmManage Discussion EntryWhat parks are you familiar with. Have you ever visited a national park site?
  – I never been to a national park site here in Texas, but living in New York for 17 years I have been to the Niagara Falls Tour.
  Why are national parks important?
  – National parks are important because it takes us back to our roots. It shows us how people lived in the past. 
  Why did the WPA focus on promoting them?  Think about Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and what other programs are still current today and their benefits.
  – The WPA focused on promoting national parks because they provide for millions of Americans who are unemployed. There were more than 3.3 million people who worked for the WPA. 
  Source: https://national-park-posters.com/pages/works-progress-administration

   

  • Joaquim BundiJoaquim Bundi
    YesterdayJul 31 at 10:16pmManage Discussion EntryHello Jada. I’m Joaquim and I am happy to know that you already visited a park. I agree with you when you write that national “takes us back to our roots.” Correct me if I’m wrong, but I believe that a national park means an important part in the American history because it has marks from past. It talks about the Native Americans, and it is important to know how they live and their contribution to build this country. Also, it is true that WPA was focused on promoting income to Americans. During that period, it was noticeable that America was suffering from the Great Depression, and this plan worked giving opportunities to many people that were without jobs.
  • Mohamed AssakkaliMohamed Assakkali
    11:49amAug 1 at 11:49amManage Discussion EntryHi Jada, 
    If you are a desert person, I think you should try Death Valley. That place literally starts to feel like you can never leave. It’s beautiful, of course, but the constant “WARNING: DO NOT WALK AFTER 10AM” and “TURN OFF A/C TO AVOID OVERHEATING YOUR CAR” signs really took their toll on me, and it honestly was the most terrifying experience I’ve ever had.  Driving through the place with the highest recorded temperature in, like, ever; alone; absolutely screwed if my car overheats; out of cell service; an unrealistic amount of miles to go until I reach Tahoe; and everything was trying to kill me. Blowing sand made the ground hard to drive on. The wind that was blowing the sand was constantly trying to push me off the road. I was the only one out there that day, and the thought of overheating and being eaten by coyotes crossed my mind a few times. Honestly, nothing can prepare you for that kind of fear. But I’d go back in a heartbeat.
  • ReplyReply to Comment
• Collapse SubdiscussionJoaquim BundiJoaquim Bundi
  YesterdayJul 31 at 9:54pmManage Discussion EntryWhat parks are you familiar with. Have you ever visited a national park site?
  A: I have never been to any park in the entire country. I have been to in the United States of America for one year and an half, and I was planning to meet many historical monuments, but the pandemic is jeopardizing my summer. That is why that I do not know national part.  
  Why are national parks important?
  A: National parks are important because they belong to American history. Telling and learning the American history without mentioning the national parts, it would be like forgetting the true essence and base of this nation. 
  Why did the WPA focus on promoting them?  Think about Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and what other programs are still current today and their benefits.
  A: WPA was focused on national parts because it gave many opportunities to people who were unemployed. Also, it is important to highlight that was WPA was a strategy created during the Great Depression, and it helped almost 8.5 million Americans at the end. 
  https://www.history.com/topics/great-depression/works-progress-administration (Links to an external site.)
  https://national-park-posters.com/pages/works-progress-administration (Links to an external site.)

   ReplyReply to Comment

• Collapse SubdiscussionMohamed AssakkaliMohamed Assakkali
  11:43amAug 1 at 11:43amManage Discussion EntryWhat parks are you familiar with. Have you ever visited a national park site?
  As a student, most of my time is spent in the classrooms and library. However, I have managed to spare some time to visit White Sand in New Mexico, I have done West Texas, Marfa, Terlingua, Death Valley, and Valley Of Fire parks. Thus, I am familiar with national parks. 
  Why are national parks important?
  Since the establishment of the first national park in 1872, America has sustained history of national parks. Firstly, the proliferation of the parks remains an appealing idea for preserving the rich natural diversity. As a vital component that determines the survival of humankind on the planet, national parks preserve certain ecosystems and land with the uniqueness of the topographic features. Secondly, the biodiversity thriving within the confines of the preserved land exemplifies the importance of national parks. Thirdly, Parks also conserve natural areas so that renewable resources are used sustainably. Conservationism is driven by protecting the natural world while permitting the harvesting of the resulting renewable natural resources. Naturally, parks are beautiful because they harbor, pristine rivers, spectacular mountain tops and lush valleys. If the unique places are not designated as national parks, it would be impossible to sustain breathtaking views.
  Why did the WPA focus on promoting them?  Think about Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and what other programs are still current today and their benefits.
  The ambitious American New Deal agency created Work Project Administration (WPA) in 1939 to provide jobs for unemployed Americans during the Great Depression. The WPA’s Federal Arts Project had the posters of National parks, solely for encouraging Americas to embark on an exploration of national treasures hidden in the national parks. By the time the WPA era was coming to an end, 26 national parks had already been established. On leaving the best for the future, President Theodore Roosevelt considered natural beauty a gift and said, “Here is your country. Cherish these natural wonders, cherish the natural resources, cherish the history and romance as a sacred heritage, for your children and your children’s children. Do not let selfish men or greedy interests skin your country of its beauty, its riches, or its romance”. One of the New Deal programs continuing to date is the Federal Project Number One, where “American scenes” posters and printed murals are still in use. The posters and postcards are recycled and produced using green printers in Colorado to preserve the WPA era’s nostalgic style. Also, the Social Security program was part of the domestic programs under the New Deal’ and is continuing to offer economic security for Americans.
  • Quyen NguyenQuyen Nguyen
    5:47pmAug 1 at 5:47pmManage Discussion EntryHello Mohamed,
    I really enjoy reading your thoughtful and detailed reply. I agree with you when you said “Parks also conserve natural areas so that renewable resources are used sustainably”. It is true that since the wild life is being destroyed immensely recently, parks play an important role in conserving those kinds of resources in a sustainable way. This also helps boost the economy of the country in a much better way. You are also right when you say that parks help preserve the uniqueness of the topographic features, which the environmentalists have been looking for for a long time. Great job on answering those questions in details and evidence! 
  • ReplyReply to Comment
• Collapse SubdiscussionQuyen NguyenQuyen Nguyen
  5:32pmAug 1 at 5:32pmManage Discussion EntryWhat parks are you familiar with. Have you ever visited a national park site?
  A: I have been in the United States for only two years so I have not been and familiar to many local parks. However, I have been to Hermann Park in Downtown Houston once for a visit with my friends. That was the only park I have been to. I have not been to any other national parks.
  Why are national parks important?
  National parks are important because it conserves and enhance the natural and cultural heritage of an area. Main purpose of parks is to protect our biodiversity. Moreover, parks also serve an important role in promoting historical, social or even economic benefits. National parks are a very vital factor in a country’s history and culture. They also help boost the economy of a country by means of tourism. 
  Why did the WPA focus on promoting them? Think about Roosevelt’s New Deal programs and what other programs are still current today and their benefits.
  WPA focus on promoting national parks because it provide great chances of job opportunities for the unemployed. 

  https://national-park-posters.com/pages/works-progress-administration