The New Deal: 1932-1940

Franklin D. Roosevelt, elected in 1932, symbolized the hope of ordinary citizens during a national crisis. He promised a 'new deal' to ensure comfortable living for all. Roosevelt won against Hoover with a majority, advocating for a balanced federal budget and the repeal of Prohibition. While other nations focused on internal issues, Roosevelt aimed to balance democracy, individual liberty, and economic planning. He drew on the Progressive Era's reform traditions, consulting advisors like Louis Brandeis, who criticized large corporations for their role in the depression. The First New Deal sought to address these challenges through reforms.