Critics and Impacts of Critics and Impacts of the New Deal the New Deal

IB History of the Americas IB History of the Americas

Criticisms of Conservative Criticisms of Conservative OpponentsOpponents

Conservative opponents said the New Deal Conservative opponents said the New Deal went too went too farfar:: It was It was socialismsocialism (killed individualism)(killed individualism) It added to the It added to the national debtnational debt ($35 billion)($35 billion) It wasted money on relief and It wasted money on relief and encouraged idlenessencouraged idleness It It violated the constitutionviolated the constitution & states rights& states rights It increased the It increased the power of the power of the

PresidencyPresidency

Criticisms by Radical OpponentsCriticisms by Radical Opponents Radical opponents said the Radical opponents said the

New Deal did not go far New Deal did not go far enough. They were enough. They were demagoguesdemagogues (rabble-rousers) (rabble-rousers)

These men would use These men would use campaign speeches and radio campaign speeches and radio programs to communicate their programs to communicate their disdain for the New Deal disdain for the New Deal directly to the peopledirectly to the people

CRITICS OF THE NEW DEALCRITICS OF THE NEW DEAL

American Liberty LeagueAmerican Liberty League Dr. Francis E. TownsendDr. Francis E. Townsend Father Charles E. Father Charles E.

CoughlinCoughlin Senator Huey P. LongSenator Huey P. Long

““Share Our Wealth” PlanShare Our Wealth” Plan

Father Charles E. Father Charles E. Coughlin Coughlin (1891-1979)

Senator Senator Huey LongHuey Long19341934

Attack from RightAttack from RightAmerican Liberty LeagueAmerican Liberty League

American Liberty LeagueAmerican Liberty League Formed in 1934 by conservative Democrats such as Al Smith Formed in 1934 by conservative Democrats such as Al Smith

along with many industrialists along with many industrialists Its stated goal to "defend and uphold the Constitution" and Its stated goal to "defend and uphold the Constitution" and

"foster the right to work, earn, save and acquire property." "foster the right to work, earn, save and acquire property." The League spent between $500,000 and $1.5 million in The League spent between $500,000 and $1.5 million in

promotional campaigns; much of their funding came from promotional campaigns; much of their funding came from leaders of U.S. Steel, General Motors, Standard Oil, and leaders of U.S. Steel, General Motors, Standard Oil, and Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company. Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company.

It reached over 125,000 members and supported the It reached over 125,000 members and supported the Republicans in the 1936 election Republicans in the 1936 election

American Liberty LeagueAmerican Liberty League The League used print media and radio to The League used print media and radio to

distribute information distribute information Its political goal was defeating FDR in 1936, Its political goal was defeating FDR in 1936,

backing the presidential candidacy of backing the presidential candidacy of Republican Governor Alf Landon. Republican Governor Alf Landon.

FDR’s strategy: Make the Liberty League FDR’s strategy: Make the Liberty League synonymous with social and economic synonymous with social and economic privilege, associate it closely with the privilege, associate it closely with the Republican Party, then attack the Republican Party, then attack the Republicans by attacking the League. Republicans by attacking the League.

Attack from the LeftAttack from the LeftDr. Francis TownsendDr. Francis Townsend

Townsend PlanTownsend Plan California physician proposed an old-age pension plan to California physician proposed an old-age pension plan to

ease the impact of the Depression. ease the impact of the Depression.

His movement had over 5 million supporters His movement had over 5 million supporters

““Townsend Plan”Townsend Plan”1) Providing a $200 monthly pension for everyone 60 yrs. old1) Providing a $200 monthly pension for everyone 60 yrs. old2) Recipients would be required to spend the monthly benefit2) Recipients would be required to spend the monthly benefit within 30 days within 30 days3) The plan would be funded by a 2% tax on the production of 3) The plan would be funded by a 2% tax on the production of

goods goods

Townsend PlanTownsend Plan The plan was to lower unemployment by removing The plan was to lower unemployment by removing

everyone over 60 from the labor force, resulting in everyone over 60 from the labor force, resulting in greater demand for workers and higher wages.greater demand for workers and higher wages.

Requiring seniors to spend the benefit would increase Requiring seniors to spend the benefit would increase demand, also lowering unemployment demand, also lowering unemployment

Critics of the Townsend Plan saw it as simply shifting Critics of the Townsend Plan saw it as simply shifting purchasing power to elderly by taxing younger workers.purchasing power to elderly by taxing younger workers.

The popular support for the plan prompted action on the The popular support for the plan prompted action on the Social Security Act. Social Security Act.

Attack from the LeftAttack from the LeftFather Charles CoughlinFather Charles Coughlin

Golden Hour of the Little Golden Hour of the Little FlowerFlower

Canadian-born Roman Catholic priest at Royal Oak, Michigan's Canadian-born Roman Catholic priest at Royal Oak, Michigan's National Shrine of the Little Flower Church. He was one of the National Shrine of the Little Flower Church. He was one of the first political leaders to use radio to reach a mass audiencefirst political leaders to use radio to reach a mass audience

““The Radio Priest” Forty million tuned to his weekly broadcasts The Radio Priest” Forty million tuned to his weekly broadcasts during the 1930s.during the 1930s.

During the 1932 Presidential election, he was an early During the 1932 Presidential election, he was an early supporter of Roosevelt's New Deal reforms and coined the supporter of Roosevelt's New Deal reforms and coined the phrase "Roosevelt or ruin“ & "The New Deal is Christ's Deal.“phrase "Roosevelt or ruin“ & "The New Deal is Christ's Deal.“

Coughlin split with FDR because he felt that the administration Coughlin split with FDR because he felt that the administration did not deal harshly enough with “money powers” (bankers, did not deal harshly enough with “money powers” (bankers, stock brokers, & corporate magnates) stock brokers, & corporate magnates)

National Union for Social National Union for Social JusticeJustice

1936, Fr. Coughlin said “I believe that wealth … originates 1936, Fr. Coughlin said “I believe that wealth … originates from the natural resources and from the labor which the sons from the natural resources and from the labor which the sons of God expend upon these resources. It is all ours except for of God expend upon these resources. It is all ours except for the harsh, cruel and grasping ways of wicked men who first the harsh, cruel and grasping ways of wicked men who first concentrated wealth into the hands of a few.” concentrated wealth into the hands of a few.”

He called for:He called for:1) A living wage 1) A living wage 2) Strict regulation (nationalization) of banking and utility co.2) Strict regulation (nationalization) of banking and utility co.3) Abolition of the Federal Reserve3) Abolition of the Federal Reserve4) Lifting taxes on the working class4) Lifting taxes on the working class

After ’36 Election the tone of radio messages became more After ’36 Election the tone of radio messages became more anti-Semitic and pro-fascist, Suggesting that the Depression anti-Semitic and pro-fascist, Suggesting that the Depression was a conspiracy of Jewish bankers.was a conspiracy of Jewish bankers.

FCC regulations limited his audience in an attempt to silence FCC regulations limited his audience in an attempt to silence his message. In 1942 the Archbishop of Detroit ordered him to his message. In 1942 the Archbishop of Detroit ordered him to stop his broadcasts.stop his broadcasts.

Attack from the LeftAttack from the LeftHuey P. LongHuey P. Long

Huey P. LongHuey P. Long Nicknamed “The Kingfish”, A Democrat, Long was noted for Nicknamed “The Kingfish”, A Democrat, Long was noted for

his radical policies. He served as Governor of Louisiana from his radical policies. He served as Governor of Louisiana from 1928 to 1932 and as a U.S. senator from 1932 to 1935. 1928 to 1932 and as a U.S. senator from 1932 to 1935.

Long split with Roosevelt in June 1933 over Long’s perception Long split with Roosevelt in June 1933 over Long’s perception that the New Deal was too conservative.that the New Deal was too conservative.

Long’s political career was launched in Louisiana attacking Long’s political career was launched in Louisiana attacking banks and the Standard Oil Companybanks and the Standard Oil Company

His support of populist issues: free textbooks, lowering utility His support of populist issues: free textbooks, lowering utility rates, revising tax codes… he was endearing to the rates, revising tax codes… he was endearing to the powerless.powerless.

Share-Our-WealthShare-Our-Wealth Long proposed a radical wealth redistribution plan which Long proposed a radical wealth redistribution plan which

called for heavy taxes on accumulated wealth over one million called for heavy taxes on accumulated wealth over one million dollars. dollars.

Revenue would support the following:Revenue would support the following:1) A family allowance of 5,0001) A family allowance of 5,0002) An annual guaranteed income of 2,500.2) An annual guaranteed income of 2,500.3) Old age pensions at 60 3) Old age pensions at 60 4) Immediate payment of veteran’s benefits4) Immediate payment of veteran’s benefits5) Free college and vocational school tuition5) Free college and vocational school tuition6) Govt. purchase and storage of agricultural surplus6) Govt. purchase and storage of agricultural surplus

Long boasted 7 million members in Share-Our-Wealth Long boasted 7 million members in Share-Our-Wealth Societies across the nation Societies across the nation

Long considered challenging FDR in’36, Democratic National Long considered challenging FDR in’36, Democratic National Committee polls showed he would get 10% of the vote as a Committee polls showed he would get 10% of the vote as a third party candidate. third party candidate.

Huey Long ShotHuey Long Shot Huey Long was shot in the corridors of the Huey Long was shot in the corridors of the

Louisiana State Capitol building on September Louisiana State Capitol building on September 8, 1935. He died from internal bleeding two 8, 1935. He died from internal bleeding two days later days later

He was present at the capitol for a special He was present at the capitol for a special session of the Louisiana legislature eager to session of the Louisiana legislature eager to pass a number of bills. One of the bills would pass a number of bills. One of the bills would terminate Judge Benjamin Pavy’s job.terminate Judge Benjamin Pavy’s job.

Dr. Carl Weiss, Pavy’s son-in-law, shot Long in Dr. Carl Weiss, Pavy’s son-in-law, shot Long in the abdomen.the abdomen.

Long’s bodyguards immediately opened fire on Long’s bodyguards immediately opened fire on Dr. Carl Weiss. He was killed instantly. Dr. Carl Weiss. He was killed instantly.

FDR v. Landon: 1936 ElectionFDR v. Landon: 1936 Election

ELECTION OF 1936ELECTION OF 1936

Alf Landon: governor of Kansas: argued Alf Landon: governor of Kansas: argued there was too much government under there was too much government under FDRFDR ““constitutionally and with a balanced budget” constitutionally and with a balanced budget”

Result: greatest landslide in US historyResult: greatest landslide in US history FDR 61%, Landon 36 % (Maine and VT)FDR 61%, Landon 36 % (Maine and VT)

new Democratic coalition:new Democratic coalition: urban working classesurban working classes Northern urban blacksNorthern urban blacks Traditional progressivesTraditional progressives Southern rural whitesSouthern rural whites

Election of 1936Election of 1936

The Supreme Court The Supreme Court Packing Controversy & the Packing Controversy & the

Democratic Party PurgeDemocratic Party Purge

Protection of New Deal Protection of New Deal AccomplishmentsAccomplishments

Steps FDR took to protect New Deal Steps FDR took to protect New Deal accomplishments (both failed):accomplishments (both failed): Court-Packing Plan: Court-Packing Plan: proposed proposed

increasing Supreme Court from 9 to 15 increasing Supreme Court from 9 to 15 members, caused in revolt in members, caused in revolt in Democratic PartyDemocratic Party

Purge of the Democratic Party:Purge of the Democratic Party: criticisms were taking hold, Americans criticisms were taking hold, Americans were shifting away from FDR’s were shifting away from FDR’s sponsored politicians, FDR tried to sponsored politicians, FDR tried to marginalize vocal conservative marginalize vocal conservative Democratic candidates, and Americans Democratic candidates, and Americans saw this and voted in Republican saw this and voted in Republican politicians into Congress and State politicians into Congress and State positionspositions

The Supreme Court – The Supreme Court – Our Judicial BranchOur Judicial Branch

The Supreme Court has The Supreme Court has had 9 members since the had 9 members since the early 1800searly 1800s

Their primary function is Their primary function is to judge the to judge the Constitutionality of laws Constitutionality of laws that are passed in this that are passed in this countrycountry

This function is one of the This function is one of the primary checks against primary checks against the Legislative branch in the Legislative branch in our countryour country

The Supreme Court -- 1935

FDR and the Supreme

CourtThe Conflict:• The Supreme The Supreme

Court ruled Court ruled that a few that a few New Deal New Deal laws violated laws violated the the ConstitutionConstitution

• FDR was none FDR was none too pleased too pleased and used his and used his clout to make clout to make changeschanges

The Roosevelt RecessionThe Roosevelt Recession

1937 – Unemployment surged1937 – Unemployment surged FDR had decided to balance budget so FDR had decided to balance budget so

WPA and PWA had been cut significantlyWPA and PWA had been cut significantly Social Security had also just taken $2 Social Security had also just taken $2

billion from the economybillion from the economy

The Last New Deal ReformsThe Last New Deal Reforms

The National Housing Act – US Housing The National Housing Act – US Housing Authority established to subsidize builders Authority established to subsidize builders for low cost housingfor low cost housing

The Farm Security Administration – gave The Farm Security Administration – gave loans to tenants so they could purchase loans to tenants so they could purchase farmsfarms

The Fair Labor Standards Act – more The Fair Labor Standards Act – more protection for workers, abolished child protection for workers, abolished child labor, 40 hour workweeklabor, 40 hour workweek

NEW NEW DEAL IN DEAL IN

DISARRAYDISARRAY

Gross National Product 1920-1940Gross National Product 1920-1940

NEW DEAL AND LABORNEW DEAL AND LABOR Congress of Industrial Congress of Industrial

Organizations (CIO)Organizations (CIO) industrial unionismindustrial unionism worked to include blacks & worked to include blacks &

other minoritiesother minorities John L. Lewis John L. Lewis - United Mine - United Mine

WorkersWorkers

Revolution in lives of wage Revolution in lives of wage workersworkers higher wages, shorter hours, higher wages, shorter hours,

paid vacations, insurance paid vacations, insurance and unionization that enabled and unionization that enabled them to settle disputes and them to settle disputes and have a measure of job have a measure of job securitysecurity

Labor Union Labor Union MembershiMembership, 1920-p, 1920-19921992

Rise of Labor Unions in the ’30sRise of Labor Unions in the ’30s

Decline of Decline of Welfare CapitalismWelfare Capitalism the idea that Americans should look not to the the idea that Americans should look not to the

government or to labor unions but to the workplace government or to labor unions but to the workplace benefits provided by private-sector employers for benefits provided by private-sector employers for protection against the fluctuations of the market protection against the fluctuations of the market economy. Companies employed these types of economy. Companies employed these types of welfare policies to encourage worker loyalty, welfare policies to encourage worker loyalty, productivity and dedication. productivity and dedication.

Wagner Act: Guaranteed workers’ right to join a Wagner Act: Guaranteed workers’ right to join a union and a union’s right to bargain collectivelyunion and a union’s right to bargain collectively

Sit-down StrikesSit-down Strikes

Main bargaining tactic – Main bargaining tactic – sit down strikessit down strikes

Sit-down Strikes – Sit-down Strikes – rather than walking off rather than walking off the job, workers the job, workers remained inside their remained inside their plants, not working.plants, not working. Prevented production & Prevented production &

strikebreakersstrikebreakers

““Memorial Day Massacre” Memorial Day Massacre” (1937)(1937)

Clash at the Republic Clash at the Republic Steel plant in Chicago on Steel plant in Chicago on Memorial DayMemorial Day Police attacked striking Police attacked striking

steel workers outside the steel workers outside the plant.plant.

10 people were killed & 84 10 people were killed & 84 injured.injured.

Memorial Day MassacreMemorial Day Massacre

Memorial Day Massacre, Chicago, 1937

LASTING IMPACTLASTING IMPACT OF THE NEW DEAL: OF THE NEW DEAL: Political and Economic ResultsPolitical and Economic Results Political: Political:

increased power of the presidentincreased power of the president Increased role of Federal government in society Increased role of Federal government in society Party Realignment; Democratic coalitionParty Realignment; Democratic coalition

Economic: Economic: created the basics of the American welfare statecreated the basics of the American welfare state aided the stabilization of the stock market and aided the stabilization of the stock market and

banking systembanking system established a power base for various disadvantaged established a power base for various disadvantaged

groups to challenge the dominance of corporationsgroups to challenge the dominance of corporations

LASTING IMPACTLASTING IMPACT OF THE NEW DEAL: Social OF THE NEW DEAL: Social ResultsResults

American IndiansAmerican Indians Indian Reorganization Act of Indian Reorganization Act of

1934 1934 • returned political authority to returned political authority to

the tribes; tribal governments the tribes; tribal governments like city governmentslike city governments

• Ended Dawes allotment Ended Dawes allotment system; allowed collective land system; allowed collective land ownership ownership (~ 4 million of the 90 million acres (~ 4 million of the 90 million acres of Indian land lost under the allotment system returned of Indian land lost under the allotment system returned to the tribes)to the tribes) Pueblo Indians in the Indian Service

School. Taos, New Mexico 1936 (Library of Congress)

Women make their markWomen make their mark Several women were appointed to high gov. Several women were appointed to high gov.

positions during the New Deal.positions during the New Deal. Frances Perkins became the first female cabinet Frances Perkins became the first female cabinet

member.member. Roosevelt was seeking the support of women Roosevelt was seeking the support of women

voters.voters. Roosevelt also appointed 2 female diplomats & Roosevelt also appointed 2 female diplomats &

a federal judge.a federal judge. Women continued to face discrimination but they Women continued to face discrimination but they

continued to move into the work place.continued to move into the work place.

African Americans take African Americans take leadership rolesleadership roles

Roosevelt appointed over Roosevelt appointed over 100 African Americans to 100 African Americans to key gov. positions.key gov. positions.

Mary Bethune helped to Mary Bethune helped to organize a “black cabinet” of organize a “black cabinet” of influential blacks to advise influential blacks to advise the president.the president.

Eleanor Roosevelt played a Eleanor Roosevelt played a key role in opening doors for key role in opening doors for African Americans in gov.African Americans in gov.

LASTING IMPACTLASTING IMPACT OF THE NEW DEAL: OF THE NEW DEAL: Limits and LegaciesLimits and Legacies positive interpretations positive interpretations

Saved capitalism?Saved capitalism? reformed capitalism, offering protection to reformed capitalism, offering protection to

disadvantageddisadvantaged completed process of progressive reform, completed process of progressive reform,

then moved in direction of modern liberalismthen moved in direction of modern liberalism accomplished as much as it could against accomplished as much as it could against

conservative forcesconservative forces

negative interpretations negative interpretations Failed to end DepressionFailed to end Depression radical departure from progressive traditionradical departure from progressive tradition lacked a central, guiding philosophylacked a central, guiding philosophy missed many opportunities to help those missed many opportunities to help those

groups most in need of assistancegroups most in need of assistance Hindered economy’s recovery Hindered economy’s recovery