Explanation of the importance of the Social Security Act and how it differed from social security initiatives of European countries. Includes a facsimile of the act's official entry in the Enrolled Acts and Regulations of Congress, along...

The Cornell Law Library provides an exhaustive resource on "the set of programs popularly referred to as Social Security." Read about the Act and its amendments, court decisions, applications, and more.

The Social Security Administration offers texts of thirteen addresses made by Franklin D. Roosevelt on the issue of Social Security. A great resource for primary source material on this topic.

An in-depth discussion on the constitutionality of the Social Security Act and the 1937 Supreme Court decisions that helped settle it.

The text of a radio speech given by Secretary of Labor Francis Perkins in 1935 in which he explained the Administration's proposals contained in the Economic Security Bill. This bill formed the basis for what later became the Social...

The Social Security Administration profiles the political career of author Upton Sinclair and his unsuccessful run as a progressive candidate for governor of California in 1934. He proposed a plan for California similar to what became...

A brief look at the Social Security Act of 1935 which expanded the government's role in providing social welfare to those in need. See whom the Act did not help and read about how the legislation exanded the Americans' view of what...

Essay discussing how Frances Perkins was involved in passage of the Social Security Act. Also contains a link to a speech given by Perkins to SSA employees.

Outlines the domestic policies of President John F. Kennedy, touching on the economy, unemployment, social security, and racial discrimination.

Read about the scope of Roosevelt's New Deal from 1933 until 1939 and continue with his domestic policies during World War II. Find out how important Roosevelt's personality was to the implementation of his ideas.

A great lesson plan that explores the attempts to revive the American economy after the Great Depression through the New Deal programs of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Included are a video, text and questions, and primary source materials. A...

This site covers many aspects of the Great Depression and the New Deal programs meant to address the terrible economic issues.

Discusses Franklin D. Roosevelt's First and Second New Deals and the different programs that got people back to work and put food on their tables. Looks at the successes and failures of these programs and the criticisms leveled at...

A biography of Frances Perkins, Secretary of Labor under Franklin Roosevelt, from the Job Safety and Health Quarterly. A good description of her tireless work in improving working conditions in the United States. (Published Fall 2002)

Encyclopedia Britannica provides a biography of Frances Perkins. Appointed secretary of labor by President Franklin D. Roosevelt, she was the first female cabinet member.