New Deal Critics Topic 5.4

***Despite his critics, FDR was a hero to MILLIONS of Americans*** ***Even if his New Deal Policies did not perfectly help Americans economically, it gave hope to Americans. ***Hope & government aid for its citizens in time of need were the legacies of the New Deal.

Limitations of the New Deal Women –Men received preferred hiring status in relief jobs –Jobs went to male “heads of families” unless men were unable to work –lower pay for women –Social Security did not include domestic work –No New Deal provisions protected domestic service

Limitations of the New Deal African Americans – Reinforced racial segregation –Excluded blacks from professional or “skilled” labor in large public works projects. –Lower pay for the same work –Did nothing to stop the rising tide of lynching –Social Security Act excluded both farmers & domestic workers

Limitations of the New Deal Despite all this, FDR enjoyed wide support from African Americans African Americans had the highest unemployment rates Those that got a job through New Deal programs supported FDR FDR appointed more African Americans policymaking post than any President before him

Critics of the New Deal The New Deal goes too far: –A number of Republicans opposed Roosevelt –Believed the New Deal went to far –Many critics saw New Deal Programs as being socialistic –Critics called most New Deal Programs “un- American” because they “smacked of Bolshevism”, and limited personal freedom.

Critics of the New Deal Conservative Republicans believed the Social Security System penalized Americans by forcing them to pay into a system that they might not need. Predicted soon people would have to wear dog tags engraved with their Social Security numbers The rich HATED FDR! FDR pushed through a series of higher taxes aimed at the rich

The New Deal doesn’t go far enough: Many New Deal critics (Socialists & Communists) said that New Deal programs should redistribute the personal wealth of the country & that the government should take even more control over the economy. Upton Sinclair-ran for governor of California –New economic system in which the state would take over factories and farms Progressive & liberal democrat critics complained that The New Deal did not eliminate poverty.

Demagogues Demagogues-leaders who manipulate people with half-truths, deceptive promises, and scare tactics During they Depression, this meant they made fiery speeches that were sometimes on the radio denouncing FDR and New Deal Policies.

Huey Long Country lawyer who grew up in poverty Won governorship of Louisiana in 1929 Became United States senator in 1939 Worked to help the underprivileged by improving Education and Medical care Political critic of FDR. Argued for the redistribution of wealth

Father Coughlin Catholic Priest who was a flip- flopping critic of FDR. At first he supported FDR and the New Deal later he denounced them –Called FDR “great betrayer and liar” Used the radio to broadcast his message Reached an audience of more than 10 million Lost support because of Pro- Nazi sentiments Both Coughlin and Long used half-truths and scare tactics, which lead them to become known as Demagogues

Modern Day Critics To many Americans FDR was one of the nation’s greatest Presidents Critics feel the New Deal created “make work jobs instead of allowing the free market to determine what jobs and how many were needed Critics did not like deficit spending –Paying out more money from the annual federal budget than the government receives in revenues

New Deal Programs were financed by heavier taxation that took money out of the pockets of consumers.

The Court Packing Fiasco Arguing that he wanted to lighten the burden on the aging justices FDR asked congress if he could appoint 6 more –One for each justice over 70 years old FDR really wanted to “pack” the court with judges supportive of the New Deal Negative reaction Strong opposition forced FDR to withdraw his reform bill

The Court Packing Fiasco Critics from all sides condemned this action as an attack on separation of powers. (Most condemned FDR action of his presidency). American politicians & citizens believed this made FDR to powerful believing he was trying to take over the power of the Judicial Branch.

2 nd New Deal cutbacks – FDR eventually started to scale back New Deal spending because of rising nation debt