President Roosevelt moved decisively upon assuming office. His first act was to declare a national banking holiday for four days. He then called the Congress to a special session. Congress stayed in session from March 9 until June 16, in what became known as the "100 Days."
Roosevelt framed his program as what he called the three R's -- relief, recovery, and reform.
The overwhelmingly Democratic Congress passed all of the acts that the President requested. The first act was banking reform, which approved federal deposit insurance for all depositors. Roosevelt then went to the airwaves and gave one of his first fireside speeches, in which he assured Americans that the banks were safe places to keep money.
Roosevelt created the Civilian Conservation Corps, which employed three million young men in forestation, flood control and other programs.
The Federal Emergency Relief Administration was created, distributing $3 billion in welfare payments and work projects.
The Agricultural Adjustment Act was passed, and it made loans available to farmers to meet their mortgage payments. In addition, the Home Owners Loan Corporation was created to help refinance the mortgages of non-farmers.
The actions of the Roosevelt administration helped to restore the confidence of the American people in the government.
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