President Roosevelt believed that democracy had failed in other countries because of unemployment and insecurity. In the early 1930s, he proposed a New Deal to end the Great Depression. The New Deal included many programs. Bank accounts were insured. New rules applied to the stock market. Workers could form unions to protect their rights. Farmers received financial aid for certain crops. The government hired people to plant trees, clean up waterways and fix national parks. Skilled workers helped build dams and bridges. The government provided flood control and electric power for poor areas. The social security system helped the poor, disabled and elderly.