A good overview of the Social Security Act, what it included, why it was proposed, and those whom it protected. Included are reasons for opposition to the act and mention of those who were left out of coverage. You can also read Franklin...

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.

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

A description of the Economic Security Act proposed to Congress by Roosevelt in 1935, with a link for downloading a PDF version of the final bill.

Biography of Frances Perkins and her role in passing the Social Security Act. Includes personal quotes and links to other sites with more information on her service to Franklin Roosevelt.

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...

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.

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

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 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)

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

Short biographical essay on Robert F. Wagner, author of the Social Security Act and the Wagner Labor Act.

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...

This page by the Legal Information Institute at Cornell University provides an overview of unemployment compensation law. Learn why unemployment law exists and what it guarantees.

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

Examines the legislation enacted under Roosevelt's Second New Deal, and how the New Deal as a whole affected women, African Americans, and Native Americans.