Executive Order 7037

Executive Order 7037 was issued by Franklin D. Roosevelt on May 1, 1935, with the primary goal of establishing the Resettlement Administration, an agency tasked with relocating struggling farmers and rural communities to more productive areas, as part of the broader New Deal program, which included initiatives like the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. This executive order was a key component of Roosevelt's efforts to address the widespread poverty and unemployment caused by the Great Depression, which had devastated communities across the United States, from Dust Bowl-affected areas like Oklahoma and Texas to industrial centers like Detroit and Chicago. The Resettlement Administration was led by Rexford Tugwell, a prominent economist and policy advisor who had previously worked with Roosevelt on the Agricultural Adjustment Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration. The order also drew on the expertise of other notable figures, including Hugh S. Johnson, Frances Perkins, and Henry A. Wallace.

● Introduction

The issuance of Executive Order 7037 marked a significant shift in the Roosevelt administration's approach to addressing rural poverty and unemployment, building on earlier initiatives like the Federal Farm Bank and the Soil Conservation Service. The order established the Resettlement Administration as an independent agency, with a mandate to provide assistance to farmers and rural communities affected by the Great Depression, including those in Appalachian regions like West Virginia and Kentucky. The agency's work was closely tied to that of other New Deal agencies, such as the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Rural Electrification Administration, which were working to modernize infrastructure and improve living standards in rural areas. The Resettlement Administration also collaborated with organizations like the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to provide relief to affected communities.

● Background

The Great Depression had a devastating impact on rural communities across the United States, with farmers facing widespread poverty, unemployment, and homelessness, particularly in areas like the Great Plains and the South. The Roosevelt administration responded with a range of initiatives, including the Agricultural Adjustment Administration and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration, which provided financial assistance and other forms of support to affected communities, including those in California and New York. However, these efforts were often inadequate, and the Resettlement Administration was established to provide more targeted and comprehensive support, drawing on the expertise of experts like John Maynard Keynes and Milton Friedman. The agency's work was also influenced by the ideas of progressive thinkers like Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, who had long advocated for greater government intervention in the economy.

● Provisions

Executive Order 7037 outlined the provisions and responsibilities of the Resettlement Administration, including its mandate to provide assistance to farmers and rural communities, as well as its authority to acquire and develop land for resettlement projects, such as the Greenbelt, Maryland and Greenhills, Ohio communities. The order also established the agency's organizational structure, including the appointment of Rexford Tugwell as its administrator, and outlined its relationships with other New Deal agencies, such as the Works Progress Administration and the Civilian Conservation Corps. The Resettlement Administration was also tasked with working closely with state and local governments, as well as private organizations like the Ford Foundation and the Rockefeller Foundation, to leverage resources and expertise.

● Implementation

The implementation of Executive Order 7037 was a complex and challenging process, involving the coordination of multiple agencies and stakeholders, including state and local governments, private organizations, and community groups. The Resettlement Administration faced significant obstacles, including limited funding, bureaucratic resistance, and opposition from conservative groups like the American Liberty League and the National Association of Manufacturers. Despite these challenges, the agency made significant progress, establishing a range of resettlement projects and providing assistance to thousands of farmers and rural communities, including those in Arkansas and Louisiana. The agency's work was also influenced by the ideas of experts like Gunnar Myrdal and John Kenneth Galbraith, who had studied the economy and society of the United States.

● Impact

The impact of Executive Order 7037 was significant, with the Resettlement Administration providing critical assistance to farmers and rural communities affected by the Great Depression, including those in Mississippi and Alabama. The agency's work helped to alleviate poverty and unemployment, and contributed to the development of more sustainable and productive agricultural practices, such as those promoted by the Soil Conservation Service and the USDA. The Resettlement Administration also played a key role in shaping the Roosevelt administration's approach to rural development, influencing the development of subsequent initiatives like the Farm Security Administration and the Rural Electrification Administration. The agency's work was recognized by international organizations like the United Nations and the International Labour Organization, which saw it as a model for addressing rural poverty and unemployment.

● Legacy

The legacy of Executive Order 7037 is complex and multifaceted, reflecting both the achievements and limitations of the Resettlement Administration and the broader New Deal program, which included initiatives like the Social Security Act and the National Industrial Recovery Act. The order marked an important shift in the Roosevelt administration's approach to addressing rural poverty and unemployment, and contributed to the development of more comprehensive and sustainable approaches to rural development, such as those promoted by the Tennessee Valley Authority and the Appalachian Regional Commission. However, the order also reflected the limitations and contradictions of the New Deal program, including its reliance on top-down approaches and its failure to address the deeper structural causes of poverty and unemployment, as noted by critics like Martin Luther King Jr. and Cesar Chavez. Despite these limitations, Executive Order 7037 remains an important milestone in the history of rural development and poverty reduction in the United States, and continues to influence policy debates and development initiatives today, including those related to sustainable agriculture and rural revitalization. Category:United States executive orders