The great depression: striving for prosperity in america the stock market crash of 1929 marked an era of turmoil and instability for america known as the great depression. Millions of people who lost their life savings and their jobs eventually became homeless, only to find that their president, herbert hoover, felt the government should not intervene. However, new york governor franklin delano roosevelt said, "i pledge myself to a new deal for the american people. " and when he was elected to office in 1932, he made good on that pledge. Through a series of programs, he stimulated the economy, got people back to work, and protected the american people through the great depression. In 1935, for example, roosevelt created the works progress administration (wpa). The wpa created much-needed jobs for the unemployed, at the same time improving the country as a whole. Wps workers erected buildings like schools and post offices. They also worked on bridges, highways, and other infrastructure projects. In addition, the wpa found work for people with artistic capabilities, such as writers, musicians, and theater directors. In fact, wpa murals still exist. You may have seen them in places like zoos, courthouses, and hospitals. The wpa, which existed until 1943, provided work and a paycheck to almost 9 million americans. Later that year, roosevelt signed the social security act of 1935. At a time when people had lost much—if not all—of the money for which they had worked, the social security act guaranteed pensions to millions of americans. It also established unemployment insurance so people who had lost their jobs could receive money until they found work. Thanks to roosevelt's initiative, these policies are still with us today and continue to protect many americans when they need help the most. In many ways, roosevelt saved the united states. He believed the government should become the active force in driving the country toward prosperity and held to that idea regardless of any opposition. In 1941, the japanese bombing of pearl harbor ignited world war ii, and the war effort helped to accelerate the production of goods and services in the united states. Ultimately, this ended the great depression and put the country back on the road to prosperity. However, it was roosevelt's programs that held the united states together for so many years by providing work, income, and hope in a time of unprecedented economic terror. 2 select the correct answer from the drop-down menu. How does the second paragraph develop the author’s thesis? the second paragraph.