The New Deal and 1930s Texas

1. The New Deal and 1930s Texas • Essential Questions: • Describe civil rights movements and identify its key leaders, such as LULAC • Analyze the political, economic, and social impact of the Great Depression on Texas • Identify ways Texans have adapted to and modified the environment

2. The New Deal Begins • 1932 – Franklin D. Roosevelt won the presidential election, with almost 90% of Texans supporting him. • 1933 – FDR starts reform programs called the “New Deal” to get America back to work and out of the Great Depression. • “The First 100 Days” he orders all banks to close to determine the strongest to stay in business.

3. The New Deal Begins • Vice President John Nance Garner, a former Texas congressman, helped push New Deal programs in Congress. • Another Texas congressman, Sam Rayburn, became Speaker of the House. • He proposed the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)to restore confidence in the stock market.

4. New Deal Programs • FDR’s New Deal created agencies to deal with many problems from the Depression. • Alphabet Agencies- government agencies that came to be known by the first initials of their names.

5. New Deal Programs • FERA(Federal Emergency Relief Administration) – gave funds to states and local agencies for unemployed people • CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) – provided outdoor employment for young men and helped preserve resources • NYA (National Youth Administration) – hired high school and college students to perform clerical and maintenance jobs. • PWA (Public Works Administration) – built bridges dams, schools, and other structures of value to the state. • WPA (Works Progress Administration) – hired 600,000 Texans during the Great Depression

6. New Deal Programs • New Deal programs tried to slow down soil erosion to help farmers in the Dust Bowl regions. • New planting and contour plowing techniques helped farmers protect the topsoil from blowing away. • The federal government also paid farmers to plant trees as windbreaks and reduce production of crops in effort to drive prices up.

7. 100th anniversary of Texas independence in 1936 • Celebration held at Fair Parkin Dallas (where annual State Fair is located) • Exhibits highlighted Texas History and proudly displayed examples of Texas products and culture • Also, the San Jacinto Monument was erected on the battlefield to the east of Houston and various museums built

10. 1930s Governors: Sterling and Ferguson • Miriam Ferguson defeated Ross Sterling in 1932 for governor • 2nd term as governor was controversial • Fired many TX Rangers • Used pardon power to release criminals • Asked FDR to lend farmers money to help make up for lost income from low cotton prices

11. 1930s Governors: Allred and O’Daniel • James Allred 1935 • Reorganized TX Rangers • Helped found Board of Pardons and Paroles • Created retirement systems for state employees • W. Lee O’Daniel 1938 • Sales manager and radio host • Wrote unofficial state song “Beautiful Texas” • Unable to deliver on many of his campaign promises

12. African American Rights • Dr. Lawrence Nixon • African American Texan physicianwho presented his poll tax receipt and tried to vote in the Democratic primary, but was turned away • Filed suit to win the right to vote: Nixon v. Herndon (1927):The Supreme Court justices declared his rights under the 14th and 15th amendments had been violated

13. Mexican Americans Rights • League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) • Founded at Corpus Christi in 1929 with Ben Garza as the first president • Worked for Mexican American rights in court system, hiring, and education • The School Improvement League was founded in 1934 to improve school facilities for Hispanic children