FDR & the New Deal The Election of 1932 Hoover v. FDR Hoover: –“The Worst is Past” –“It Might Have Been Worse” –“Prosperity is Right Around the Corner”

FDR –Optimism: “Happy Days Are Here Again” –Promises a “new deal” – but what is it? –Personality / Image

Election of Anti-Hoover referendum -FDR wins: African- Americans shift to the Dems

FDR First Inaugural What language does FDR use to describe the Depression?

This is a day of national consecration, and I am certain that my fellow Americans expect that on my induction into the Presidency I will address them with a candor and a decision which the present situation of our nation impels. This is pre-eminently the time to speak the truth, the whole truth, frankly and boldly. Nor need we shrink from honestly facing conditions in our country today. This great nation will endure as it has endured, will revive and will prosper. So first of all let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear...is fear itself...

The First Hundred Days -Special Session of Congress -“Three R’s” -Relief, Recovery, Reform -Banking -FDRs “First Fireside Chat” -Response? -Bank Holiday -Emergency Banking Relief Act -Glass-Steagall Banking Reform Act -Federal Securities Act

Employment & Aid

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

-Civilian Works Administration (CWA) -PWA -Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) -Home Owner’s Loan Corp (HOLC) -Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Loans to halt foreclosures 45,000 kilovolt-ampere waterwheel c. 1938

National Recovery Administration (NRA) Industrial codes – hrs, wages, no child labor, permit unions Struck down by Schechter v. United States (1935) – the “sick chicken” case

Works Progress Administration (1935) -New Deal effective? Depression still looms. -$11 billion for buildings, roads, bridges, schools, airports, libraries. -“ New Deal for the Arts ” -WPA Art / Writers / Theater Projects -Photography, murals, painting.s, sculpture, plays, oral histories, guidebooks, novels, recordings

Jane Addams Memorial By Mitchell Siporin, Illinois Federal Art Project, WPA, 1936 Tempera on paper

Myra Kinch and Clay Dalton in the Los Angeles production of American Exodus By an unknown photographer, 1937 Poster for Festival of American Dance Los Angeles Federal Theatre Project, WPA, 1937

Dorothea Lange “Migrant Mother”

WPA Slave Narratives - Writers interviewed and recorded the stories of former slaves in 17 states.

First New Deal  Limitations  Second New Deal PWA, CCC, CWA  still unemployment  WPA AAA  declared unconstitutional  2 nd AAA NRA  declared unconstitutional  Fair Labor Standards Act; NLRB TVA  still large areas w/o electricity  REA No unemployment insurance; old age pensions  Social Security

Critics of the New Deal Liberals Wanted more government action Communist Party of America Sen. Huey P. Long –Share Our Wealth Program –“Every man a king!” –Guaranteed income of $ house + car –100% tax on incomes over $1 million Dr. Francis Townshend –Old age pensions of $200/mo for citizens 65+

Critics of the New Deal Conservatives Wanted less government action Fr. Charles Coughlin –Denounced bankers, the New Deal, and Jews. Republican Party –Criticized FDR’s “alphabet soup” as too communistic Supreme Court –Dominated by older, Republican-appointed justices –Struck down many of the First New Deal programs: AAA, NRA –FDR responds with the Court Packing Plan Asks Congress to pass a bill allowing him to appoint a new justice for every judge over 70. This would expand court from 9 to 13 judges immediately. FDR is accused of trying to overpower the Supreme court and backs down.

Effects of New Deal Criticisms Never brings about full employment. Puts the US into debt. Expands the power of the US gov’t (especially Pres) President dominates other branches of gov’t Successes NO ONE STARVES! THERE ISN’T A REVOLUTION! Needed reforms are made. NO DICTATORSHIP (even if FDR has unusual power) President now seen as accessible by the American people.