United States History
By: Elena Cantwell
The CCC
Purpose of the Program
The Civilian Conservation Corps, also known as the CCC was an agency that was designed to provide work for unemployed young-adults for people who had a background in natural resource conservation. Sponsored by the government, it was one of the many economic and social relief efforts that were passed due to the implication of the New deal (lasting from 1933-1938). The employees of the CCC made a substantial and long lasting contribution to preservation. Because this program did not racially discriminate when choosing its employees, Mostly African Americans and Native Americans were hired. Millions of Americans were hired between the years of the programs' existence, throughout 1933 to 1945 ("Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)").
"A CCC Poster." The Great Depression and the New Deal. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 1999. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
"CCC Enrollees Leaving Camp Roosevelt." The Great Depression and the New Deal. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 1999. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 17 Feb. 2016
"Two laborers at work in Prince Georges County, Maryland, in August 1935. CCC men lived by military..." Historic Events for Students: The Great Depression. Ed. Richard C. Hanes and Sharon M. Hanes. Vol. 1. Detroit: Gale, 2002. U.S. History in Context. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
Achievements and Aid
One of the main achievements of the CCC is that they were responsible for over half of the forest planting in the history of the United States, and the millions of workers who were given aid by this corporation helped to build many roads, trains, cabins, and campgrounds that are still in use today. This program was designed to aid the young people in America, and the corporation did not racially discriminate against applicants, therefore many young Blacks and Native Americans were hired (Hakim, 103). One of the products of the New Deal, Roosevelt and many other government officials sought to provide Blacks with jobs through the CCC, WPA, PWA, and many other organizations. Although still segregated, they received the same pay (Kennedy).
During the nine-year period of existence, the CCC ultimately transformed America and began the national environmental movements and awareness. The CCC also helped to eliminate the unemployment crisis during the Depression-era. The CCC benefited the economy, the environment, and also all of its workers, thus creating one of the most popular relief efforts in a Depressed America ("Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)").
"A CCC Enrollee Plants a Tree." The Great Depression and the New Deal. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 1999. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 17 Feb. 2016
"CCC Workers Planting Trees." The Great Depression and the New Deal. Woodbridge, CT: Primary Source Media, 1999. American Journey. U.S. History in Context. Web. 17 Feb. 2016.
Date Enacted:
March 9, 1933
Success or Failure?
In the long run and in terms of giving back to the environment and creating jobs for the young population, the Civilian Conservation Corps was very successful. It raised environmental awareness, created jobs, boosted the Depression-era economy, and even hired many African Americans and Native Americans.
In terms of the booming job creation, millions of young men now had an occupation and 200,000 black men also had a job, in which they received equal pay. This organization helped to give these men work and a consistent salary, however as much as the program did to help, its affects did not help to decrease segregation by any means, as the barracks for these workers were still always separate (Brinkley, 646).
Due to the numerous projects that the program sought to complete, it was successful in giving back to the environment and creating a long lasting effort of environmental awareness and preservation.
This program was one of the most popular outcomes of the Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal, and therefore was successful and beneficial to America (CCC Brief History).
Relief, Recovery, Reform
Once America was once again threatened by war, many achievements of the New Deal were abolished, and among these abolished programs was the CCC. Because mass unemployment had ended, the need for these types of programs decreased and were eventually voted out of existence by Congress (Brinkley, 687). Because the program did not last very long, it should be classified as an immediate relief effort that helped to destabilize the economy and give back to the environment. It provided jobs for millions of unemployed Americans and helped get the United States back on track after the Great depression. However, some aspects of this immediate relief led to a long-term reform. The aspect of planting, making roads, highways, railroads and other means transportation more accessible changed America, and some of the roads and National Parks made then are still in use today ("Civilian Conservation Corps").
When this program was in existence, it should have been classified as liberal. This program, run strongly by the government in order to promote equality in income over opportunity, was also created to protect workers from harsh treatments and provide government made jobs for millions of men ("CCC Brief History").
