Criticisms and End of the New Deal

Criticisms “A state-controlled or state-directed social or economic system….That is not liberalism, it is tyranny!” -Herbert Hoover

American Liberty League: It complained that the New Deal interfered too much with business and people’s lives. Limited individual freedoms in an unconstitutional manner.

Criticism of the New Deal Senator Huey Long: Originally a supporter-FDR “Share -Our-Wealth” Heavy taxes on the rich and redistribute the money to the poor. Improvements to working conditions for Americans.

Father Coughlin: First advocated Nationalization Criticized FDR for interfering with the sanctity of private property, including banks. “Franklin Double-crossing Roosevelt”

WHY Criticize? Americans wanted a balanced budget Spend an appropriate amount of $$$ Concerned about the rising national debt Deficit Financing Expenses higher than revenue(income) Debt: 1933 – $21,000,000,000 ($21 Billion) 1940 – $43,000,000,000 ($43 Billion) 2014 – $17,000,000,000,000 ($17 Trillion)

Why was this result predictable? Think – Pair - Share Why was this result predictable?

FDR and the Supreme Court The Conflict: · The Supreme Court ruled that many New Deal laws were unconstitutional. Ex.) AAA - Govt influenced private business practices

· After winning the 1936 presidential election, FDR proposed increasing the number of Supreme Court Justices from 9 to 15. February 14, 1937, Waterbury (CT) Republican, "Do We Want A Ventriloquist Act In The Supreme Court?"

August 26, 1937 Newport (R.I.) News, "And That's The Versatile Quarterback Who Said If One Play Didn't Work He'd Try Something Else."

· FDR withdrew his plan six months later.

Criticism of the New Deal Republicans in Congress were especially opposed to the New Deal Too much government intervention Reform had gone too far Social Security and other New Deal Programs infringed upon individual freedoms “Unconstitutional, Un-American”

The Big Idea The New Deal had did have a lasting effect on many aspects of American life.

Entertainment in the 1930s

Radio

Movies Optimistic films about common people who triumphed over evil.

Comedies were very popular also.

Movies The one-time greatest box office hit transported Americans out of the gloom of the Depression into a happier time.

No one understood the needs of depression-era audiences better than Walt Disney.

Movies

The Big Idea The New Deal had failed to address the economic depression.

Effects of the New Deal Infrastructure Bridges, dams, buildings, tunnels Federal Agencies – AAA, CCC, WPA, PWA, RFC, FDIC, TVA… PUT PEOPLE BACK TO WORK

The WPA and the Arts

The WPA and the Arts The government gave the unemployed, work in building construction and arts programs. It employed a large number of artists and writers.

The WPA and the Arts

Greatest Legacy of the New Deal… Hope