The federal minimum wage act was first introduced in 1938, as part of the Fair Labor Standards Act. Originally, the minimum wage campaign in America evolved in response to the inhumane problems of sweat labor. Those concerned about the serious effects of low wages on family well-being continued to press for legislative responses. Since the minimum wage programs were legislated, the courts have had an important effect on their structure and implementation. American courts were initially hostile to these programs in the states, and the U.S. Supreme Court declared them unconstitutional. However, the problem these programs attempted to address did not disappear simply because the Court invalidated the legislation. Minimum wage proponents struggled to craft legislation that would address the Court`s concerns while simultaneously addressing the economic and social programs. However, the character of these programs bumped against the constitutional requirements of freedom of contract and due process of law in their development. As Americans believed strongly in self-sufficiency and individualism and have adhered to the concept of laissez-faire through much of the industrial revolution, the courts accepted these concepts as reflecting the values of American society. However, finally the federal minimum wage was introduced in 1938. The minimum wage provision of the FLSA was adopted in an attempt to stimulate economic recovery from the Great Depression. The whole process of its implementation reflects the changing concepts of the freedom in the New Deal era.