It became possible by the second new deal and wartime new deal

Restructuring of federal involvement

- No in the first New Deal – Hopkins spent too much which made it unsustainable, but also
leaving it in state hands led to corruption and inefficiency
- In the second new deal, the inverted structure attempted to recover and reform
simultaneously by providing employment and funding for projects, federally approved – the
first stop was necessary – artistic endeavours to commemorate the American New Deal – 36
symphony orchestras, the government taking an active role in citizen’s lives

Labour legislation

- Not in the first new deal – the labour legislation of NIRA was recovery and reform together
in principle, but since the federal government were occupied by recovery, the ‘reform’
element of section 7a had no backing or protection, leading to many codes (over 700 by
1935) with no effect – ruled unconstitutional
- By the Second New Deal, the federal willingness to support labour legislation enabled
reform alongside recovery – this was part of the recovery of American capitalism by
redefining the relationship between businesses and workers, giving them more of a dynamic
interpretation of ‘individualism;’ which enabled collective bargaining – Wagner Act

African Americans

- The second new deal suggested recovery and reform were occurring at different rates for
African Americans and whites – their exclusion from social security occurred before recovery
had even begun – proved recovery for African Americans could not take place alongside
social reform due to Southern Democratic cage in congress
- The war created jobs and military service for African Americans – this enabled their recovery
and reform simultaneously since they used the war to justify their emancipation

Employment

- Some sense of recovery and reform early on, but on a severely limited scale – the Tennessee
Valley Authority, Agricultural Adjustment Act – both enabled farmers (very limited) and one
provided federal support of projects – however need to focus on the banks meant this was
on a very limited scale, since bankers were also losing jobs and the Glass-Steagal Act, and
roosevelt only allowed certain banks to reopen – necessary to reformulate the basis of
American capitalism – Steinbeck and the harvest gypsies series
- Works Progress Administration – Steinbeck and government camps – the economic benefit
of employing 3,000,000 Americans and social recognition – reform and recovery working
together since this reformed the nature of government support for all in society while
simultaneously providing employment and recovery