New Deal, New Promises

As I watched this slide show, I couldn't believe how many creations of the New Deal I had visited. I never realized that the San Antonio River Walk and Lincoln Tunnel were created as a result of the New Deal in the 1930s. These projects continue to attract millions of people each and every year. The New Deal brought about many positive changes. For instance, certain minorities were gaining power. Figures such as Eleanor Roosevelt advocated for womens' rights. She was the most powerful woman to ever hold the title of "First Lady." Although women were being treated better in some areas of their lives, other aspects had not changed. Because so many men had joined the army or lost their lives during the war, an increased number of women were responsible for supporting their families. Some men believed that the women holding steady jobs were stealing mens' work. They were outraged that women were allowed to have the same occupations as them. This showed that despite the fact that Americans were trying to move forward, some parts of society plateaued. Another group that was still persecuted was African Americans. Due to the WPA, blacks were given more job opportunities. However, they faced a lot of discrimination on the job. They had proven that they were able to accomplish their work as effectively as whites, but they were not given anywhere near equal recognition. Economically, the New Deal seemed to be serving its purpose. Morally, though, it had not made any significant strides.