American Institute of Certified Planners (AICP) Practice Exam

Which major initiative was introduced during FDR’s presidency that involved federal government planning?

1. The New Deal

2. The Square Deal

3. The Fair Deal

4. The Great Society

The correct answer is: The New Deal

The New Deal is the major initiative introduced during Franklin D. Roosevelt’s presidency that significantly involved federal government planning. Implemented in response to the Great Depression, the New Deal encompassed a series of programs, public work projects, financial reforms, and regulations. Its aim was not only to provide immediate economic relief but also to implement structural changes in the economy and enhance the role of government in planning and managing economic activity. Under the New Deal, various federal agencies were created to coordinate activities and strategies to boost economic recovery, such as the Works Progress Administration (WPA), which provided jobs through public works, and the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), which aimed to stimulate industry and competition. These programs represented a profound shift in the way Americans viewed the role of the federal government in the economy, establishing a precedent for future government involvement in economic planning and social welfare. The other options represent different initiatives launched under various presidencies. The Square Deal was associated with Theodore Roosevelt's policies focusing on consumer protection, conservation, and regulation of corporations; the Fair Deal was Harry Truman's program aimed at extending the New Deal; and the Great Society was Lyndon B. Johnson's initiative addressing civil rights and poverty. While important, none of these initiatives had the same