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To Enlarge the Machinery of Government: The Expansion of the Federal Bureaucracy Under FDR

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Published in To Enlarge The Machinery Of Government: Congressional Debates And The Growth Of The American State 1858 1891 (Reconfiguring American Political History)

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To Enlarge the Machinery of Government: Congressional Debates and the Growth of the American State, 1858–1891 (Reconfiguring American Political History)

by Williamjames Hull Hoffer

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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Under the leadership of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, the federal bureaucracy expanded dramatically during the 1930s and 1940s. This growth was driven by the need to address the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II. By the end of the war, the federal government employed more than 3 million people, up from just 600,000 in 1933.

Causes of Bureaucratic Expansion

There were several factors that contributed to the expansion of the federal bureaucracy under FDR.

The Great Depression: The Great Depression caused widespread economic hardship and unemployment. In response, the federal government created a number of new agencies to provide relief to the unemployed and to stimulate the economy.
World War II: The outbreak of World War II in 1941 led to a massive expansion of the federal government. The government needed to mobilize the economy for war production and to provide support for the troops overseas.
New Deal policies: FDR's New Deal policies also contributed to the growth of the federal bureaucracy. These policies created new programs and agencies to address a wide range of social and economic problems.

Consequences of Bureaucratic Expansion

The expansion of the federal bureaucracy under FDR had a number of consequences.

Increased government spending: The growth of the federal bureaucracy led to a significant increase in government spending. This was necessary to fund the new programs and agencies that were created.
Increased government power: The expansion of the federal bureaucracy also led to an increase in government power. The new agencies that were created had the authority to regulate the economy, to provide social welfare programs, and to mobilize the nation for war.
Increased bureaucracy: The growth of the federal bureaucracy also led to an increase in bureaucracy. This could make it difficult for citizens to access government services and to hold the government accountable.

The expansion of the federal bureaucracy under FDR was a significant event in American history. It was driven by the challenges of the Great Depression and World War II, and it had a profound impact on the size, scope, and power of the federal government.

References

Brands, H. W. (2005). The New Deal: A history of the United States from 1933 to 1941. New York: Penguin Books.
Leuchtenburg, W. E. (1963). Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1940. New York: Harper & Row.
Smith, J. A. (2000). The federal bureaucracy: A history. Washington, D.C.: Brookings Institution Press.

To Enlarge the Machinery of Government: Congressional Debates and the Growth of the American State, 1858–1891 (Reconfiguring American Political History)

by Williamjames Hull Hoffer

5 out of 5