The guiding philosophy of most of the relief work of the first New Deal was
The correct answer and explanation is:
The guiding philosophy of most of the relief work during the first New Deal was “relief for the needy.” The first New Deal, implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in the early 1930s, focused on providing immediate support to those suffering from the effects of the Great Depression. The main goal was to alleviate the widespread poverty, hunger, and unemployment caused by the economic collapse.
Roosevelt’s administration responded with several programs aimed at providing direct aid to individuals, families, and communities. These programs were designed to provide immediate financial assistance, create jobs, and stabilize the economy. Some key elements of the relief philosophy included:
- Direct Aid to Individuals: Many relief programs were aimed at providing direct financial assistance to the unemployed, poor, and elderly. For example, the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA) provided grants to states for the purpose of supporting the unemployed with food, shelter, and clothing.
- Job Creation: Recognizing that unemployment was a major crisis, the New Deal included efforts to create jobs for the millions of Americans who were out of work. Agencies like the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Public Works Administration (PWA) hired workers to undertake projects such as road construction, flood control, and park development.
- Agricultural Aid: The Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA) was created to address the problems faced by farmers, including plummeting crop prices and severe debt. The AAA offered subsidies to farmers to reduce production and raise crop prices, helping them recover financially.
The overall aim of these relief programs was to provide immediate help, prevent further suffering, and stabilize the country’s economy. While the first New Deal did not fully end the Depression, it laid the foundation for later programs under the second New Deal that would offer further reforms and long-term solutions to the nation’s problems.