Compare the new deal reforms with those of the progressive era

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Compare the new deal reforms with those of the progressive era. How did the new deal reflect reform traditions of the progressive era? Be sure to include in your answer a discussion about Roosevelt’s key administrators and how the new deal finally placed the federal government into the lives of Americans, as it had never been before. What remnants of the new deal do you see or experience in your life?

Reforms during the progressive era aimed at fixing the social evils and injustices in the society that had occurred because of the economic upturn during the industrial period. Theodore Roosevelt had proposed reforms that would transform the health sector, take care of the elderly by providing social insurance, and ensure the welfare of the disabled and those who were not employed as well as improving the pay and working conditions of those who were already employed (Williams 34). The president also focused on ensuring environmental protection and conservation (Brinkley 545). Franklin Roosevelt used the same principles when setting the new deal. He wanted to change the economic situation in the country as it was during the depression. Thus, while the reforms in the progressive era occurred at a time when the country was experiencing prosperity, the new deal era reforms dealt with a poor economic situation.

The first new deal focused on recovery and relief of the poor and those who were not employed. Reforms in both periods focused on active government participation (Powell 56). The government increased spending to improve the welfare of those who were disadvantaged in the new deal. The government implemented programs that would help the elderly in the community as well as the unemployed. The government aimed at providing jobs for the unemployed in public works. It placed much focus on agriculture, where it provided fertilizer to the farmers at affordable costs. It initiated plans to build dams and power plans and it provided cheap electricity to people (Brinkley 630). Both the progressive era and the new deal reforms improved workers conditions. They strengthened child rights and exempted children from forced employment. The social security system remains to this day (Manchester 45). The government has established laws and policies that protect the most vulnerable in the society, including the elderly and the disabled. It also provides assistance to those who cannot find employment. Government has taken active measures to regulate banks in terms of protecting the customers’ deposits and it continues to instill measures to avoid the collapse of the stock market.

Works Cited

Brinkley, Alan. The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People, Volume 2. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2009. Print

Manchester, William. American Caesar: Douglas Macarthur, 1880-1964. Boston: Little, Brown, 1978. Print.

Powell, Colin L, and Joseph E. Persico. My American Journey. New York: Random House, 1995. Print.

Williams, T H. The History of American Wars from 1745 to 1918. New York: Knopf, 1981. Print.