The Civilian Conservation Corps Program - Economics Essay Sample

The Civilian Conservation Corps was the most beneficial program of its time given that it was introduced at a time when many young Americans were suffering with unemployment and poverty. By 1932, the American people had had enough of the economic chaos that had been present for two consecutive years. However, newly elected president Franklin D Roosevelt commenced a long awaited recovery of Americas economy by creating a series of programs that would put Americans back to work. The Civilian Conservation Corps was one of Roosevelts measures, which formed part of the New Deal. This paper seeks to analyze the Civilian Conservation Corps, its impact on young unemployed men, and how it could be updated to meet the needs of modern Americans.

Is your time best spent reading someone else’s essay? Get a 100% original essay FROM A CERTIFIED WRITER!

Order now

Before the Civilian Conservation Corps Act, a huge number of unemployed young men resided in the east (Salmond, 2004). This made it difficult for these unemployed men to acquire employment opportunities since most of the working projects were operating in the western region. The unemployment problem was even worse for African Americans and other minority groups. At a time when racial segregation was at its peak, minority groups encountered difficulties trying to enroll in the Civilian Conservation Corps (Salmond, 1965). However, the president realised that it would not be logical to discriminate whereas the country was supposed to be on a recovery path. Hence, a number of all-black camps were integrated.

The Civilian Conservation Corps Act sought to bring together young men in America in an effort to save their jobs. The program was also aimed at preserving the land of these young men by making maximum use of it. According to this program, there would be a massive recruitment of young men who were able to do hard manual labour (Salmond, 1965). Also, the program would facilitate the enlisting of young men in the peacetime army for recruitment. These soldiers would then be sent to fight the erosion of Americas land and natural resources.

The program moved through the various stages of proposal, approval, execution, and operation at an astonishing speed. During the enrollment procedure, several politicians concluded that the program contributed greatly to a reduction in crime rates within the country. This observation provides an exemplary example of how the provision of employment opportunities helped eliminate idlers. The program managed to capture the attention of many young men who were looking to improve their means of earning a living given the going wage rates. The men were paid thirty dollars a month while the government provided a generous enrollment check of twenty-five dollars to the family of every man who enlisted. This approach assisted in ensuring the effective performance of the program since life at home became a little bit easier. Aside from providing employment to over five hundred thousand young men, the program facilitated improved forest activity, fire protection, flood control, and community safety. The program undoubtedly achieved its purpose because after ten years, every state in America boasted enough permanent projects left by the Civilian Conservation Corps program.

To aid the unemployed young men and women in America today, an update of the program can include enrollment of individuals to work in employment areas especially volunteer programs, which many people are not willing to enroll in. To help majority of these unemployed individuals, the government can offer volunteer checks to encourage them to enroll. This way, the government can reduce the number of unemployed American citizens and the vices that come along with it. This updated program should serve as a reform because given the needs of modern Americans; a few changes would help address the problem of unemployment objectively. As an update, this volunteer program should be successful because there are a large number of unemployed Americans who do not possess high-level qualifications to enable them pursue careers. Hence, by providing them with an option of earning a living, they can make good use of their lives. There have been significant updates to American volunteer programs For example; volunteer groups can now receive accommodation services to allow them to focus on their work. The volunteer program could use an update especially through government help. The government is capable of providing its citizens with working benefits. Hence, the government should review volunteer programs operating currently, and devise ways of improving benefits to volunteers. For example, the government can add allowances of volunteers as it reviews the countrys wages and benefits. This can make individuals taking part in volunteer programs feel more appreciated and as a result, even ore unemployed individuals could be willing to enroll in the program.

America has been through a series of economic trials since its independence. The ideas of leaders such as Franklin D Roosevelt help to remind us of why humanity was created to rule over the earth. There is no reason why humanity should suffer yet it has the resources and ability to set its own development path. Hence, it is the responsibility of every individual to create their own opportunities in life while following the direction and rules of the authority.

Works Cited

Salmond, John A. "The Civilian Conservation Corps and the Negro." The Journal of American History 52.1 (1965): 75-88.

Salmond, John. "The Civilian Conservation Corps." (2004).