The New Deal - A Story For Our Times

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The New Deal - A Story For Our Times: 1: The Confidence Man

1: The Confidence Man

BBC Radio 4 - The New Deal - A Story For Our Times, 1: The Confidence Man

Marybeth Hamilton explores how America responded to the Great Depression with The New Deal

In 1933 Franklin D Roosevelt took office with America traumatised by the Great Depression and desperate for leadership and direction. Marybeth Hamilton explores the New Deal years.

In 1933 American's clamoured for new leadership and direction. Their nation was at the epicentre of a global financial crisis  A quarter of the working population unemployed. Farmers and workers in revolt, war veterans marching on the nation's capital. The siren song of populists filled the airwaves. Franklin D Roosevelt came to office amidst deep gloom with the banks about to fail. 'If I read the temper of our people correctly...we cannot merely take...we must give as well. Historian and writer Marybeth Hamilton explores the decade long experiment that was America's New Deal. There was no blue print for restoring the nation's fortunes or fortitude but to Roosevelt, and those he gathered around him, it was clear that the future of capitalism and democracy were at stake.

With the voices of Tony Badger, Steve Fraser, Gary Gerstle, Gardiner Means, Eric Rauchway, Rob Snyder and Elizabeth Wickenden.

Producer: Mark Burman

Intelligent speech, the most insightful journalism, the wittiest comedy, the most fascinating features and the most compelling drama and readings anywhere in UK radio.

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