Chapter 23 Section 2The New Deal’s Critics

American Liberty League

Founded in 1934

Led opposition to New Deal

Said New Deal limited individual freedom

Unconstitutional

Said it resembled Communism

What effects did the New Deal have on women and

minorities? It allowed lower wages for

their work and favored white males in job programs

Federal relief programs in the South enforced racial segregation

Social security excluded farmers and domestic workers Primary areas where

African Americans and women worked

Why did the American Liberty League view the New Deal as unconstitutional and un-American?

It felt the New Deal limited individual freedom too radically and that its mandatory programs resembled communism

Examine the picture on page 778. What message do you think the photographer was trying to communicate with this picture?

All of the people on the billboard are white

All of the people in the relief line are African American

The photo might have been commenting on discrimination in New Deal relief programs

Examine the political cartoon on page 780. Does the cartoon favor or criticize the New Deal? Support your answer with details from the cartoon?

The cartoon suggests that New Deal programs, represented by restraints on Uncle Sam, interfere with American freedoms and the free market. It is critical of the New Deal.

Why did Upton Sinclair and Robert La Follette believe that the New Deal did not go far enough?

Sinclair believed that the nation’s entire economic system needed to be reformed along Socialist lines

La Follette believed that wealth needed to be evenly distributed…also socialism

Demagogue

Leaders who manipulate people with half-truths, deceptive promises, and scare tactics.

Identify 2 demagogues of the New Deal era. Briefly explain what each

individual believed.

Father Coughlin- Radio sermons against FDR& New Deal-wanted guaranteed income and nationalization of banks

Huey Long- Senator from Louisiana

Wanted to be President

Proposed “Share the Wealth”/”Every Man a King” program Give everyone a $2,500

annual income

Long eventually assassinated

Nationalization

Government takeover and ownership

Deficit Spending

A nation spending more than it brings in

The Supreme Court Reacts

FDR upset by Supreme Court rulings against the New Deal

Afraid courts would rip apart New Deal

Proposed court reform

Allow FDR to appoint 6 new supreme court justices

The Supreme Court Reacts

FDR said it would make judiciary more effective

Clearly designed to create a court more in favor of New Deal

Labeled Court Packing Bill

The Supreme Court Reacts

Congress and Press protest

Violation of judicial independence& separation of powers

Hurt FDR’s public image

Supreme Court Reacts

Court packing never happened

Never had to

7 of the 9 justices either die or retire

FDR able to appoint 7 new justices anyway