8. The CCC was enormously popular while much of the New Deal was not
FDR’s New Deal was not well-received by large segments of the population, uniformly viewed with contempt by conservatives as a solid push of the United States towards socialism. But the CCC was favored with overwhelming public approval from the outset. The public approved of the employment being offered and the projects being completed. In 1936, a Gallup Poll reported that 82% of those queried whether they were in favor of the CCC camps responded with a yes. 67% of Republicans favored the camps and 92% of Democrats agreed. Enrollment in the camps had, by then, been reduced to 350,000 down from its peak of 505,000 in August of 1935.
In 1937, Congress formally established the CCC as a separate entity and funded it for another three years. The age for participation was altered to include men aged 17-23, and the requirement for the enrollees to have been on relief was eliminated. At least ten hours per week of vocational training for all enrollees was implemented. Academic classes were also made part of the program for enrollees who had not completed high school. Students on summer break were allowed to enroll in the program on a temporary basis. Although the CCC was placed on an independent basis, it was still considered to be an emergency measure rather than a permanent agency of the government.