Write A 3-4 Page Essay Responding To The Prompt Below

Write A 3 4 Page Essay Responding To The Prompt Below Yo

Write a 3-4 page essay responding to the prompt below. Your essay should be double spaced, and in Times New Roman, size 12 font. New Deal programs provided relief to millions of Americans suffering from the Great Depression. Inspired by Roosevelt's more inclusive message of relief during a deep economic crisis, African Americans supported him en masse leading to a shift in their vote from the "Party of Lincoln" to the New Deal Coalition during the 1936 election. Using your textbook and at least five of the primary sources below (or six sources total) discuss African Americans' experience with New Deal programs and their efforts to eliminate racial violence and discrimination through the 1930s and 40s. Ultimately, was the New Deal a good Deal for African Americans?

Paper For Above instruction

The Great Depression of the 1930s was a period of unprecedented economic hardship that affected millions of Americans, including a significant portion of the African American community. The New Deal, launched by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, promised relief, recovery, and reform, and it dramatically reshaped American society and politics. For African Americans, however, the impact of the New Deal was complex—marked by both progress and persistent racial discrimination. This essay explores African Americans' experiences with New Deal programs, their efforts to combat racial violence and discrimination, and assesses whether the New Deal was ultimately beneficial for Black Americans, drawing on primary sources and the course textbook to argue that while it provided crucial relief and catalyzed political realignments, it also fell short of fully addressing racial inequalities.

Initially, many African Americans supported Roosevelt and the New Deal because of the tangible relief it promised amidst the economic catastrophe. As evidenced by sources such as “Black and Labor Codes” from 1933, the early New Deal initiatives often excluded African Americans or permitted racial discrimination within programs such as labor and housing efforts. This reflected the widespread racism embedded in federal policies at the time, which often prioritized economic recovery over racial equality. Nevertheless, African Americans saw avenues of hope: the possibility of better economic opportunities and increased political voice. Langston Hughes’s “Ballad of Roosevelt” (1934) captures this ambivalence—depicting both optimism and skepticism about Roosevelt’s commitment to racial justice.

Despite discriminatory policies, African Americans made efforts to leverage New Deal programs to secure civil rights and improve living conditions. For instance, the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) aimed to boost rural economies but often excluded Black farmers, as highlighted in E. E. Lewis’s 1935 account of Black cotton farmers. These farmers faced eviction and exclusion from the benefits of the AAA, exemplifying the racial barriers within New Deal efforts. Yet, Black communities also organized protests and correspondence, such as letters to President Roosevelt, demanding equitable treatment, as shown in “Please Help Us Mr. President.” These efforts indicated a burgeoning awareness and activism aimed at challenging racial inequalities embedded in federal programs.

The fight against racial violence and segregation was an ongoing struggle during the 1930s and 40s. The push for fair housing policies, as seen in “The Right to Housing Is a Civil Right,” revealed an active civil rights consciousness among African Americans seeking to eliminate racial discrimination in housing. Similarly, Senator Paul Douglas’s advocacy for federal housing programs aimed to clear slum areas and improve living standards, but racial bias often hampered these reforms, perpetuating segregated and substandard conditions. Black Americans recognized that economic relief alone was insufficient—they demanded social and civil rights protections, underscoring the limitations of the New Deal in fully addressing racial injustice.

However, the New Deal also laid groundwork for future civil rights activism. Primary sources like “Gonna Miss President Roosevelt” reflect a sense of appreciation for Roosevelt’s leadership despite his shortcomings on racial issues. Many African Americans believed that the political realignment initiated by the New Deal—shifting their allegiance from the “Party of Lincoln” to the Democratic coalition—was instrumental in laying the foundation for future civil rights advances. Roosevelt’s administration, although often cautious, began to address racial inequalities indirectly through economic programs and by appointing some African Americans to government positions, signaling incremental progress.

In conclusion, while the New Deal provided vital relief and contributed to changing the political landscape for African Americans, it was a mixed outcome in terms of racial justice. It offered economic opportunities and helped reshape African American political affiliations, yet racial discrimination persisted within key programs, and efforts to eliminate racial violence and segregation faced significant obstacles. Overall, the New Deal was a “good deal” in terms of economic relief and political mobilization but fell short of achieving full racial equality. Its legacy underscores both the potential and limitations of government intervention in addressing racial disparities during a period of profound national crisis.

References

• Lewis, E. E. (1935). “Black Cotton Farmers and the AAA”.
• Hughes, Langston. (1934). “Ballad of Roosevelt”.
• “Black and Labor Codes”. (1933).
• “Please Help Us Mr. President”. (1930s).
• “The Right to Housing Is a Civil Right”. (1940s).
• “Democracy Can’t Live in These Houses”. (1940s).
• “Gonna Miss President Roosevelt”. (1945).
• Textbook: The American Promise, Volume 3, Chapters 24-25.