Question 31

Franklin Delano Roosevelt's first priority was to declare a bank holiday and support the passage of emergency banking legislation.

In response to the Great Depression, Roosevelt prioritized stabilizing the banking system by declaring a bank holiday and supporting emergency banking legislation, which aimed to restore public confidence in the financial system.

A) declare a bank holiday and support the passage of emergency banking legislation

This option is correct as Roosevelt's immediate response to the banking crisis was to declare a bank holiday on March 6, 1933, effectively closing all banks temporarily to prevent further bank runs. The subsequent Emergency Banking Act allowed for the reopening of solvent banks and helped to restore trust in the banking system, marking a crucial first step in Roosevelt's New Deal.

B) establish the Works Progress Administration (WPA) to provide jobs for the unemployed

While the WPA was an important program established later in Roosevelt's presidency, it was not his first priority. The WPA was created in 1935 as part of the broader New Deal to address unemployment, but initially, Roosevelt focused on stabilizing the banking system as the immediate crisis needed to be tackled first.

C) affirm the right of labor to bargain collectively by signing the Wagner Act

The Wagner Act, enacted in 1935, did affirm the rights of labor to organize and bargain collectively, but it was not Roosevelt's initial priority. This legislation was part of the later efforts to address labor issues and improve workers' rights during the recovery phase of the New Deal.

D) pack the Supreme Court with likely supporters of the New Deal

Court packing was proposed by Roosevelt in 1937 as a response to the Supreme Court's opposition to some New Deal legislation. This option was not part of his initial actions as president; rather, it arose later when he sought to ensure support for his programs. It reflects a controversial strategy rather than a priority in managing the immediate economic crisis.

Conclusion

Roosevelt's declaration of a bank holiday and the support for emergency banking legislation were essential first steps to combat the financial panic during the Great Depression. This action directly addressed the urgent need to stabilize the banking system, while all other options, though significant in their own right, came later in his administration as part of the broader New Deal initiatives.