Over the break, I will…

Goals: -What is unionization? -What is a demagogue? Main Idea: In 1935 Roosevelt introduced new programs to help unions, the elderly, and the unemployed.

Improvements The economy was getting better under Roosevelt. National income rose 25% in between Many people wanted more as 20% of the population was still unemployed.

Protesting and Unions After the passage of the NIRA, unionization, or the formation of unions, had been on the rise. This led to tensions between workers and factory owners. Roosevelt worried that with the increased strikes and demands that labor would halt economic recovery.

Radicals Many Americans became frustrated with the slowness of the New Deal. Some turned to radical leaders. Father Charles Coughlin was a radio host and a Catholic Priest. He was considered a demagogue, or leader who gains power by appealing to people’s prejudices and fears.

Radicals (cont.) Senator Huey P. Long was also another radical. Long had pushed for many improvements in the state of Louisiana while Senator. Long wanted to take income of over $5 million and redistribute that money to working class families. “Every man a king, but no one wears a crown”

The Courts Opposition In the mid-1930’s the courts overturned two pieces of New Deal legislature. The NIRA and AAA were both found unconstitutional. The courts said the NIRA gave the executive branch too much power in the industry. The courts said that the AAA was an improper method of regulating agricultural production.

Roosevelt Regroups In 1935 Roosevelt came up with a new idea, the Second New Deal. Roosevelt secured $4.8 billion for the Works Progress Administration. This not only included construction, but also put teachers, actors, and artists back to work as well.

Social Security The Social Security Act was also passed in This gave a pension and survivors’ benefits for the elderly and the orphaned and aid to individuals that were injured in industrial accidents. Monthly payments were made based on certain standards.

The Wagner Act In July 1935, the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) was passed, guaranteeing workers the right to organize unions without employer interference. The law set up the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), which organized factory elections by secret ballot to determine if workers wanted to form a union.

Election of 1936 President Roosevelt had geared his New Deal to the middle and lower classes. His popularity soared in the 1936 election. Roosevelt was backed by 60% of the voters in the election.

Court Packing The Supreme Court did not support the president’s New Deal programs. In January 1936, the Court declared the Agricultural Adjustment Act unconstitutional. After the election, Roosevelt attempted to change the political balance of the Supreme Court with the court-packing plan. Roosevelt sent Congress a bill to increase the number of justices on the Supreme Court.

Court Packing (cont.) Republicans said that Roosevelt was trying to become a dictator. FDR stated he was trying to ease the workload of the aging justices. It was a political mistake and split the Democratic Party. Americans felt it would give the president too much power. FDR eventually backed down after the Supreme Court upheld some New Deal legislation.