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.

One page summary of the modern world's first social security program pioneered by Otto Von Bismarck in easy to read language.

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...

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

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...

This resource on Social Security benefit programs explains the differences between Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) programs.

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...

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.

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...

At this site from Social Security Online, you can find a chart showing unemployment from 1922 to 1933.

Part of Huey Long's plan to help Americans in the Depression was to grant Americans $5,000. This is a primary source site that provides the details of his plan.

"New Directions in Retirement Income: Social Security, Pensions and Personal Savings, Testimony by Commissioner of Social Security," Kenneth S. Apfel before the Senate Committee on Finance, July 22, 1998.

[Free Registration/Login Required] An inclusive unit on the New Deal and World War II with lessons about Social Security, the Zoot Suit Riots, the Dust Bowl, Mexican migration in the 1930s, the atomic bomb, Japanese internment, and the...

John R. Commons was known for his progressive views on social welfare and labor reform in the later 1800s. He is felt to be responsible for the beginning of Social Security in the United States.

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

Excellent coverage of the preparation for the 2016 Olympics in Brazil, the venues, and the very real economic, social, political, and public health problems it faced leading up to the Games.

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...

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

In this online course, students will learn how to keep their online information safe by making and remembering good passwords and also how to control who sees their personal information when using public computers and social media.

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)

This list of the New Deal agencies does not give extensive information about each agency, but it's a great resource to get an overview of what was accomplished during the New Deal. This partial list gives a brief description and...

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...