The Works Progress Administration would employ over 8.5 million people to build bridges, roads, public buildings, parks and airports. Not only did this give jobs to the unemployed but it gave back to the community, giving the citizens a bit of hope.

http://www.pbs.org/search/

The first 100 days of his presidency, bills that relieve poverty, reduce unemployment, and speed economic recovery were passed.

http://www.pbs.org/search/

the new deal prolonged unemployment that averaged 17%

http://www.cato.org/publications/commentary/fresh-debate-about-fdrs-new-deal

After the stock market crash, over $75 billion in equity capital had been lost on Wall Street, the gross national product had plunged from a high of $104 billion to a mere $74 billion, and U.S. exports had fallen by 62 percent.

http://rooseveltinstitute.org/policy-and-ideasroosevelt-historyfdr/new-deal

More than 11,000 banks had closed their doors, and the U.S. banking system had all but ceased to function. The nation, in short, appeared to be falling into an economic abyss that might well result in the total breakdown of order.

 http://rooseveltinstitute.org/policy-and-ideasroosevelt-historyfdr/new-deal

“I pledge you, I pledge myself, to a new deal for the American people.”

-Franklin D. Roosevelt; accepting the Democratic Party nomination for President, 1932

In the spring of 1935 Roosevelt launched a second, more aggressive series of federal programs, sometimes called the Second New Deal.

http://www.history.com/topics/new-deal

But while they prate of economic laws, men and women are starving. We must lay hold of the fact that economic laws are not made by nature. They are made by human beings.

http://history1900s.about.com/od/people/a/Roosevelt-Quotes.htm 

“While the crash only took place six months ago, I am convinced we have now passed the worst and with continued unity of effort we shall rapidly recover. There is one certainty of the future of a people of the resources, intelligence and character of the people of the United States – that is, prosperity.”  -President Hoover

http://www.infiniteunknown.net/2008/07/24/quotes-from-the-great-depression/

Industrial production fell by nearly 45% between 1929 and 1932.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Depression_in_the_United_States

fact

-Before the start of the Great Depression, there were 25,000 banks in the United States. By 1933, almost half of those banks (11,000) had failed. 

http://www.thegreatdepressioncauses.com/facts.html