1930’s - Great Depression Review 1932 Election Eleanor and the Brain Trust FDR’s “New Deal” Program – 1st Financial Recovery and Bank Holiday Industrial Recovery Unemployment Relief Bye to Prohibition Communication and Fireside Chats Second New Deal Reforms in the Fed. Social Security Act Election of 1936 Opponents to the New Deal

Hoover and the 1920’s Speculation / Margin Buying / Overproduction of Goods / Extensive use of Credit / Poor Banking Practices / Lack of Business Regulation / Etc. Hawley-Smoot Tariff (1930) – Raise Tax on Imports to 31% to 49%. Debt Moratorium Farming Policies (Federal Farm Board) Reconstruction Finance Corporation Bonus March

Election of 1932 Republicans re-nominate the incumbent – Herbert Hoover noting a vote for the Democrats will result in worse economic problems. Democrats nominate the Governor of New York – Franklin Delano Roosevelt w/ Vice Presidential nominee – John Nance Garner of Texas (current Speaker of the House)

Roosevelt’s Campaign Promises Pledged a New Deal for the American People 1) Repeal of Prohibition 2) Aid for Unemployment 3) Cuts in Government Spending Results – 60% Popular Vote / Many Socialists voted for FDR as well. / Both Houses of Congress become majority Democrat.

Hoover as Lame-Duck President 1933 – 20 th Amendment – shortens the period between the presidential election and inauguration. January 20 th, the new date for the start of the presidents term in office. Hoover wants Roosevelt to help…FDR says no.

FDR - early days Distant cousin of Teddy Roosevelt. Married TR’s Niece, Eleanor. Followed TR as a New York Legislature and Navy Officer. Ran as V.P. to James Cox in 1920 election where they lost to Harding. FDR was paralyzed by Polio in – Became NY Governor campaigning from a wheelchair and car.

Eleanor Roosevelt FDR’s wife, emerged as a leader in her own right. Most active first lady in history. News paper columnist, giving speeches, touring the country. Known by many to be FDR’s “social conscience.” She will dominate the Democratic Party and politics well after her husband dies.

The Brain Trust Advisors: Louis Howe – Political Advisor Rexford Tugwell, Raymond Moley and Adolph A. Berle, Jr. Francis Perkins – 1 st woman in a presidential cabinet – Secretary of Labor. Catholics, Jews and African Americans as well.

The New Deals “ 3 R’s ” Relief – for people out of work Food Shelter Medicine / Healthcare Recovery – for business and the economy as a whole Employment Business Regulation Reform – Economic Institutions Banking Practices Stock Market Practices

Election of 1936 Alf Landon – Rep. nominee – Progressive Governor of Kansas. Criticized Democrats for spending too much. Roosevelt wins every state except Maine and Vermont More than 60% of the popular vote. Pro FDR: (solid south, white urban ethnics, midwestern farmers, African Americans and labor unions) Anti FDR: (Employers and Large Business – Wagner Act

Opponents and Critics Socialists and extreme liberals in the Democratic party criticized the New Deal. FDR was doing too much for business and too little for the unemployed. Democratic Conservatives Former Pres. Cand. Al Smith and John W. Davis joined anti- New Deal org. called the “American Liberty League” Conservative Critics FDR bordered on socialism or even communism. 1. Increased regulations for business 2. 2 nd New Deal Prounion stance 3. Financing of gov’t programs by borrowed $ (aka: deficit financing)

Demagogues – Rhetoric Father Charles E. Coughlin – Catholic Priest with huge popular following via radio broadcast. Dr.Francis E. Townsend – proposed a 2% federal sales tax be used to create a fund for retired persons. (prior to Social Security Act) Huey Long – “Kingfish” Dem. Senator of Louisiana – “Share Our Wealth” program & to run against FDR for Pres. Nomination in 1935, until he was assassinated.