What Did the NRA Do?
The Great Depression caused a whole host of complex economic problems. During Franklin Delano Roosevelt's presidency, Congress passed the National Industrial Recovery act which included the National Recovery Administration (NRA).
Administrator Hugh S. Johnson got big businesses to agree to the "blanket code" which:
- established a minimum wage (30 cents per hour)
- established a maximum work week (40 hours)
- established minimum prices for the companies
- abolished child labor
Section 7(a) of the act gave workers the right to form unions and even encouraged them.
Administrator Hugh S. Johnson got big businesses to agree to the "blanket code" which:
- established a minimum wage (30 cents per hour)
- established a maximum work week (40 hours)
- established minimum prices for the companies
- abolished child labor
Section 7(a) of the act gave workers the right to form unions and even encouraged them.
Who Did it Help? Did it Work?
The NRA improved conditions for workers. The terms were meant to mend the economy over time but did not help the businesses short-term. Ultimately, industrial production declined within months. The program had started off backed by enthusiasm but soon lost popularity, so Roosevelt kicked Johnson off the board of directors.
This relief program only lasted two years before being invalidated by the Supreme Court. It is considered unsuccessful.
This relief program only lasted two years before being invalidated by the Supreme Court. It is considered unsuccessful.
The patriotic blue eagle holds a cogwheel to represent industry and a thunderbolt to represent energy.