Compare and Contrast the New Deal with the Progressive Movement

From the years 1933 to 1936, President Franklin D. Roosevelt passed a group of domestic programs. The programs were designed to stimulate the economy and were a direct response to devastating economic effects of The Great Depression. The programs were based on three important ideas: relief, recovery, and reform. The Progressive Movement(before the New Deal) was a time from late 19th century to early 20th century in which political, cultural, and economic arenas were rapidly changing due to the Industrial Revolution. The New Deal differs from the Progressive Movement in that it was a time of regrouping and getting the people back on its feet, and the Progressive Movement was a time of moving ahead with great ideas an innovations.

The New Deal put food on people’s plates and gave them a roof over their heads. The plan allowed for work on roads, bridges, and railway tracks. The bridges and pass ways weaving through the Blue Ridge Mountains are a result of the New Deal. The country was being improved while people were making money. The Great Depression had hit hard and people had no food or jobs. The New Deal was a government plan that helped the people.

The Progressive Movement helped people also, but it seemed to push the wealthy class further beyond the lower class. The architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright soared, John Dewey explored the library catalog system, and Wilson spoke of a new government. Wilson also brought the country into WWI. Some may say his steps forward are what eventually led to the Great Depression. The country was moving full steam ahead at a million miles an hour. Yes, the New Deal had progressive roots, but the goals were entirely different. The Progressive Movement led to excesses that soon crashed down upon the United States society. The Progressive Movement eventually needed the New Deal to save the country.

The two movements were different in that one was a conscious movement toward a booming economy, The Progressive Movement, while the other was a response to a crashing and poor time, The New Deal. The Progressive Movement was a seeking of exploration and money for new adventures and the New Deal was a response to help people after the Great Depression. They were, however, similar in the fact that government was more involved in business and there was more industry regulation during both periods.