The general argument made by Carl N. Degler in The Third American Revolution is that the Great Depression is the third American revolution. More specifically, Degler argues that the Great Depression, which affected every American, both rich and poor, transformed the United States’ social, political, and economic landscape and convinced the people the necessity for the national government to intervene.
The effects of the Great Depression is staggering. The national income plummeted to half of what it was during the boom of the 1920s. By 1932, 10 million Americans were unemployed and had no income. Within a period of five years, 10,000 banks failed. Without money, families could not afford food and faced starvation. As a result, many grew their …show more content…
During the First World War, the Great Migration of African Americans, from the South to the North, offered them the chance to exercise their right to vote. Failure to include blacks in their vision, the Republican party during the Progressive era lost their support of some African Americans and as a result, they turned to the Democratic party. The Roosevelt administration recognized African Americans and included them in their relief programs. Along with the emerging economic and social environment, African Americans were able to improve their position, which in turn, boosted the Democratic Party’s power. Another effect of the Great Depression was the revolution in labor. The 1930s brought a new and aggressive organizing spirit among workers. However, the American Federation of Labor fractured into the old-timers, who believed the organization of only skilled labors and no governmental intervention, and the Committee for Interior Organization, led by John L. Lewis, that was aggressive in organizing the unorganized industrial workers. The A. F. of L. expelled the C.I.O, and in response, the C.I.O formed the Congress of Industrial …show more content…
Along with the mechanization of industry, actions of the federal government through the New Deal raised wages of working women and shortened the hours. Although many Americans were against married women working, the Great Depression started the trend of women staying at their jobs after she marries. Franklin D. Roosevelt viewed the New Deal as conservation in nature and only called it a revolution once. His concern for the people and willingness to try new things enabled the creation of new institutions that would embody the era. The belief that the government should guarantee a minimum standard for the welfare of the people took the nation into a new direction. In conclusion, Degler argues that the Great Depression was the third American revolution that revolutionized every aspect of American life through direct government action. New government programs through the New Deal brought unprecedented changes upon the economic, social, and political beliefs of the American people that would still exist today. These profound changes characterize the Great Depression as another American
The effects of the Great Depression is staggering. The national income plummeted to half of what it was during the boom of the 1920s. By 1932, 10 million Americans were unemployed and had no income. Within a period of five years, 10,000 banks failed. Without money, families could not afford food and faced starvation. As a result, many grew their …show more content…
During the First World War, the Great Migration of African Americans, from the South to the North, offered them the chance to exercise their right to vote. Failure to include blacks in their vision, the Republican party during the Progressive era lost their support of some African Americans and as a result, they turned to the Democratic party. The Roosevelt administration recognized African Americans and included them in their relief programs. Along with the emerging economic and social environment, African Americans were able to improve their position, which in turn, boosted the Democratic Party’s power. Another effect of the Great Depression was the revolution in labor. The 1930s brought a new and aggressive organizing spirit among workers. However, the American Federation of Labor fractured into the old-timers, who believed the organization of only skilled labors and no governmental intervention, and the Committee for Interior Organization, led by John L. Lewis, that was aggressive in organizing the unorganized industrial workers. The A. F. of L. expelled the C.I.O, and in response, the C.I.O formed the Congress of Industrial …show more content…
Along with the mechanization of industry, actions of the federal government through the New Deal raised wages of working women and shortened the hours. Although many Americans were against married women working, the Great Depression started the trend of women staying at their jobs after she marries. Franklin D. Roosevelt viewed the New Deal as conservation in nature and only called it a revolution once. His concern for the people and willingness to try new things enabled the creation of new institutions that would embody the era. The belief that the government should guarantee a minimum standard for the welfare of the people took the nation into a new direction. In conclusion, Degler argues that the Great Depression was the third American revolution that revolutionized every aspect of American life through direct government action. New government programs through the New Deal brought unprecedented changes upon the economic, social, and political beliefs of the American people that would still exist today. These profound changes characterize the Great Depression as another American