The New Deal

I believe that the Great Depression was one of the worst era’s to live in the United States.  It demoralized all American’s and destroyed the confidence that they had in the government.  The New Deal is so popular because its legacy is that it made the country better.  The New Deal made the country a more perfect union in times where nobody could find any work.  The New Deal lasting legacy is known as the deal that saved and influenced the Americans to still believe for a strong future.  The New Deal saved the country from a revolution.  It put the confidence of Americans back into the government and the government’s ideals.  The New Deal was a representation of the way that FDR thought.  His optimistic view is what created the reputation of the New Deal.  Sure, the New Deal is known as the Deal the changed the country because it created 116,000 buildings, 78,000 bridges, and 651,000 miles of public roads.  This changed the way that the country could run.  The New Deal brought more schools for children to learn and more offices for future jobs.  All of these changes for a better future is a part of what the New Deal is known for. 

But really, I believe that the New Deal’s legacy is that it saved the country and put the past values back in place.  According to The Century, the United States was “on the brink of revolution.”  Revolutions in other countries started putting ideas in Americans’ heads and Communism seemed like a good idea with all of the unemployment.  The New Deal’s legacy is that it was the needle that sewed the United States back together during the crisis.  It made all of the American born citizens happy because it provided relief for them.  The men were given jobs due to WPA and all of the other agencies.  The women were given important positions in the government and agencies due to the New Deal which kept them content.  Kids and teenagers were given part-time jobs in order to help their families afford food, shelter, and clothing which burned out that flame for a revolution.  The New Deal made all of the citizens happy with the future of the United States which saved it from being destroyed by protests.

First Entry

I found the story of C.P. Ellis just fascinating.  His values may have been wrong, but the blueprint he lived his life to was moral.  He was a nobody in life, and throughout his life, Ellis just wanted to become an important person who was not "ashamed of the way he'd dress."  I believe that it was wrong that Ellis decided to become a klansman, but the way that he inserted himself into an organized group of people was important for his self-esteem.  He wanted his kids to not live the childhood that he had to live, and I think that his actions allowed for his children not to live that life.  His story raises the question, should we act against our feelings in order to do what is right and moral?  Is it worth crossing the line and risking reputation in our city?  Should society ruin a friendship in order to help the rest of the community?  I believe that Ellis shows the correct way to answer those questions.  He despises whites because he uses them as a scape goat for his sad childhood.  I was amazed when he decided to work with Ann Atwater.  The power when they both told the stories of when their children came home from school crying should be spread around the city because it would destroy the nonsense that is created from the racism talks.

Andy Johnson's story may seem like the story of the average immigrant who made their way to America.  I believe, however, that the story of Andy Johnson is fascinating because of his dedication towards helping society as a whole.  He knows that he is not able to change the way that America develops.  He only knows what the result will be if Americans continue to live the way that they are.  Andy Johnson describes the future by saying, "I see a wonderful future for humanity, or the end of it."  And all of us know that American started to descend into an awful place because of the tension between blacks and whites during the Civil Rights era.  Although he knows that he will have no impact and that the future is based off all of the citizens, he tries sending letter after letter to the local newspaper in order to help the future society.  His dedication towards helping people who are not even living now is just amazing.  It is exactly like all of the global warming talk today.  Some do not care about the subject because it does not affect them.  Others are willing to help because they want to save America for other generations.  Andy Johnson understands what the average American lives through, and he realizes that change must be made in order to increase the welfare of the average American