The New Deal, 3
The New Deal, 2
KEY THEMES & ISSUES
1. What were the main sources of opposition to FDR & the New Deal, 1933-1940?
2. What were the grievances of these opponents?
3. What was the impact of this opposition?
on FDR & the New Deal?
on US presidency & politics?
Opponents, 1: Mainstream
Genuine bi-partisan concerns re:
“Imperial Presidency”
FDR’s “dictatorship” (4 terms)
expansion of federal government
Supreme Court
NRA ruled unconstitutional, 1935
FDR’s “Court packing plan,” 1936
Republicans
Alf Landon, 1936
Wendall Wilkie, 1940
Opposition, 2: S/thern Conservatives
Fiscal Conservatives
Carter Glass, Harry Byrd, VA
States Rights Beliefs
fear of federal intervention in racial affairs
Economic Report on Condition of the South, 1938
Conservative Manifesto
FDR’s “Purges”, 1938
Walter George, GA; Ed Smith, SC
Opposition, 3: Radicals
Socialists
Norman Thomas
Communists
“Popular Front” from 1935
“Fellow Travelers”
Unions
Govt. still generally supportive of employers, despite some protection of labor (ie: Wagner Act)
Opponents, 4: Demagogues
Father Charles E. Coughlin
The Radio Priest, WJR-Detroit
The Radio League of the Little Flower
National Union for Social Justice, 1935
New Dealer to proto-fascist
Dr. Francis Townsend
Revolving Pension Plan
needs of elderly
need to revive spending
Huey P. Long: “The Kingfish,” 1
New Deal-style programs from 1928
Heir to Populists & Progressives
defeats New Orleans’ political elite (Choctaw Machine)
public welfare/works programs
takes on Standard Oil & railroads
educational & health reforms
But: “The Louisiana Dictatorship”
Corruption and terror
The Kingfish & National Politics
1934: Nationwide “Share Our Wealth” Campaign
Wealth redistribution; tax reform…
Huey Long, “Everyman A King,” 1935
“Why weep or slumber America, land of brave and true? With castles and clothing and food for all, all belongs to you.
Ev’ry man a King, ev’ry man a King, for you can be a millionaire. If there’s something belonging to others, there’s enough for all people to share.
When it’s sunny June & December too, or in the Winter time or Spring, There’ll be peace without end, ev’ry neighbor a friend and ev’ry man a King.”
Shot, Sept. 1936
After The ‘Kingfish’
The Union Party, 1936
Led by William Lemke & G.L.K. Smith
includes “share the wealth” clubs, plus Coughlin & Townsend supporters
Post-1938: Challenges to FDR of reduced impact
FDR/New Deal programs increasingly “radical” & reformist
undercut leftist criticisms
Escalating concerns re: foreign affairs
dissent/criticism increasingly seen as unpatriotic
Conclusions
1. Distress of the Depression encouraged interest in radical alternatives from both left & right.
2. 3 main sources of opposition to FDR & the New Deal
a. Those who saw the New Deal as too radical and interventionist: as at worst “creeping socialism,” at best as fiscally irresponsible.
b. Those who saw the New Deal as too moderate and advocated more centralized government control over US social and economic affairs.
c. Those who opposed FDR’s “Imperial” presidential style, regardless of their attitude to New Deal policies.
3. New Deal policies were influenced, if only indirectly, by the existence of these opponents and alternatives.
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