"I’ve got a job at last... It is a great life. We work hard, but we get three square meals a day and a place to sleep. Most of my pay goes back home to help my mother and the kids."
— Letter from a Civilian Conservation Corps enrollee, 1934
Which of the following goals of the New Deal is best illustrated by the program described in the excerpt?
- AEstablishing federal health insurance and medical care programs for low-income families
- BCreating a silver-backed national currency to inflationarily reduce rural farmers' debt
- Providing immediate economic relief and employment to citizens struggling during the crisisAnswer
- DEnding the Great Depression by achieving permanent full recovery for the national economy
Answer
Providing immediate economic relief and employment to citizens struggling during the crisis
The letter describes the experience of an enrollee in the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), which was a key relief program under the New Deal. The CCC provided young men with jobs on environmental conservation projects, food, shelter, and a small wage, most of which was sent home to support their families. This directly illustrates the New Deal goal of providing immediate economic relief and employment to individuals struggling during the Great Depression.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
The primary purpose and impact of New Deal relief programs, such as the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC), during the Great Depression.