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Joey Austin

History 2020

November 11, 2011

Benefits of the CCC

The Civilian Conservation Corps, also known as the CCC, was part of President Franklin

Delano Roosevelt’s New Deal Plan. Albert Bender described the CCC as “A Young Man's

Opportunity for Work Play Study & Health" in a propaganda poster published in 1935 (The

National Archives). This quote describes the role of the CCC very well. The CCC was a public

work relief program that worked at conserving natural resources in rural areas and provided jobs

to unskilled laborers. I knew very little about the CCC, until we watched the film in class. Now,

I do not see why there would be such dislike for one of FDR’S best New Deal plans.

First, the CCC helped train farmers to get the best use out of their land and reforested

rural areas. For decades before the CCC, farmers had cultivated the Great Plains without

knowledge of land conservation, which helped in creating the great Dust Bowl. Those involved

in the CCC tried to teach the stubborn farmers about contour farming, but the farmers would not

really pay any attention to their suggestions. Additionally, the CCC’s planted over two billion

trees trying to restore forest regions that had been lost due to expansion. This initiative helped to

prevent erosion and to replenish the forest’s which had been logged heavily.

Second, the CCC also helped our country’s immense problem with unemployment during

the Great Depression. At its height, there were more than a quarter million men enlisted. By the

end of the Great Depression, it had employed over two and a half million young men. These men

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earned $30.00 a month, $25.00 of which had to be sent home to their families. This was probably

most families only means of income at such a rough time in American history.

Third, the CCC helped build the state parks that so many visitors continue to enjoy each

year. They helped to create trails through the mountains and built bridges over watersheds. They

also helped to replenish native trees that had been plundered during prior exploration years.

Thanks to the CCC, Tennesseans can enjoy 77 parks that were created here in Tennessee. Also,

the CCC helped in the construction of several lakes and dams around the United States.

In conclusion, the Civilian Conservation Corps was very beneficial both during and after

the Great Depression. While some parts of President Roosevelt’s New Deal Plan may have had

limited success, the CCC program succeeded in hel ping Dust Bowl farmers’ production,

conservation, reforesting, providing employment, creating parks, and so much more. Without

the CCC, the United States would not be the country it is today in terms of nature and

conservation.