POLITICAL PRESSURE AND OPPOSITION TO THE NEW DEAL

Historical ContextMany people viewed First Hundred Days as a response to the national emergencySome sought to extend power of federal gov’t even more while others wanted to lessen the power of the federal government

VARIED CRITICISMThere were economic, political and social critiques of the New DealEconomic: Deficit Spending and Regulation of BusinessesPolitical: Federal Government too powerfulSocial: Diminishing Individual Liberty

DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRITICSBusiness OppositionRepublican Party and other Conservatives Demagogues and PopulistsCritics of FRD’s Court Packing Plan

DEMAGOGUESA leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power

POPULISTSa believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people

BUSINESS OPPOSITION (CONSERVATIVE)

Wealthy business leaders criticized the New Deal because of….High taxation on businessesToo much gov’t regulationSpecifically opposed SEC and NIRA

DICTATOR ROOSEVELT?The enormous power and scope of the New Deal led some to believe that Roosevelt was like a fascist dictator

Fascism: A governmental system led by a dictator having complete power

REPUBLICANS AND OTHER CONSERVATIVES Opposed deficit spendingOpposed many direct relief programsViewed New Deal as an attack on free institutions

• Violated business owners (NIRA) and farmers (AAA)Diminished individual liberty

THE AMERICAN LIBERTY LEAGUECollaboration of conservativesCampaigned against New Deal RadicalismNew Deal violated the respect for the rights of individuals and property

FATHER CHARLES COUGHLIN (DEMAGOGUE)

Radio sermons reached 40-45 million listenersFavored a guaranteed annual incomeSupported nationalization of the banksSermons were often Anti-Semitic Connected bankers with Jewish Conspiracy

HUEY LONG (POPULIST)Louisiana Governor and SenatorNew Deal did NOT do enough for the poorStrong supporter of public educationOpposed the Federal Reserve System

LONG’S SHARE OUR WEALTH PROGRAMWealth redistribution programTax Corporations and wealthy individualsDistribute that money to the less fortunate“Every Man a King”

THE SUPREME COURT (MID 1930’S)

Made up of mostly conservative justicesRuled the NIRA and AAA unconstitutionalFederal government was abusing its power over states and business

THE COURT PACKING PLAN (1937)

Roosevelt wanted to add one judge for everyone over 70.New court would have 15 justicesNew justices would be appointed by Roosevelt

CRITICS OF COURT PACKINGIncluded Republicans AND DemocratsRoosevelt was violating judicial independenceRoosevelt was violating separation of powers and checks and balances

LEGACY OF THE NEW DEAL TODAY

CONSERVATIVES

Made federal government too large/powerfulStifled free enterprise

LIBERALS

President Roosevelt did NOT do enough to eliminate social and economic inequalities

THE NEW DEAL TODAY1. President shapes our economy

2. FDIC and bank failure3. SEC and bank regulation

(2000’s recession)4. Social Security