Lecture Notes: The Election of 1936  Conservatives form American Liberty League The rich saw FDR’s work as socialism The rich saw FDR’s work as socialism Even-handiness with unionsEven-handiness with unions Increased gov’t regulations on businessIncreased gov’t regulations on business Taxes on upper income individualsTaxes on upper income individuals  They were accustomed to having there way in the 1920’s, so they resented the increased power of gov’t and labor

Conservative’s cont. The “New Deal” was not anti-capitalist The “New Deal” was not anti-capitalist Regarded as the “savior of capitalism”Regarded as the “savior of capitalism” Gov’t intentionally sought to “to energize private enterprise”Gov’t intentionally sought to “to energize private enterprise” New Deal programs sought to strengthen and rejuvenate the American democratic-capitalist systemNew Deal programs sought to strengthen and rejuvenate the American democratic-capitalist system

Three popular men to run against FDR Democratic Senator Huey P. Long of Louisiana Democratic Senator Huey P. Long of Louisiana As governor he endured himself to the average personAs governor he endured himself to the average person “Share the Wealth” program“Share the Wealth” program called for a heavy tax on large incomes and a 100% tax on incomes over one million dollars a year called for a heavy tax on large incomes and a 100% tax on incomes over one million dollars a year these taxes would in his opinion allow for the redistribution of the nation’s wealth and pay for an enormous public works program these taxes would in his opinion allow for the redistribution of the nation’s wealth and pay for an enormous public works program he also advocated a national minimum wage; a shortened work week; a balanced farm program; and immediate payment of WWI bonuseshe also advocated a national minimum wage; a shortened work week; a balanced farm program; and immediate payment of WWI bonuses

Three popular men to run against FDR cont. Father Charles E. Coughlin Father Charles E. Coughlin Roman-Catholic priestRoman-Catholic priest World’s largest radio audienceWorld’s largest radio audience Major complaint: gov’t was not moving fast enough to inflate the currencyMajor complaint: gov’t was not moving fast enough to inflate the currency He created the National Union for Social JusticeHe created the National Union for Social Justice He was convinced capitalism was dead and that a form of social justice would take its place similar to Italian fascism. He was convinced capitalism was dead and that a form of social justice would take its place similar to Italian fascism.

Three popular men to run against FDR cont. Dr. Francis Townsend Dr. Francis Townsend Elderly pension programElderly pension program pay $200/month, must spend that month pay $200/month, must spend that month pension would be financed by a 2% tax increase on business transactions pension would be financed by a 2% tax increase on business transactions Republican candidate Alf Landon of Kansas Republican candidate Alf Landon of Kansas Republican hopes that Huey Long would run 3rd party and steal votes from FDRRepublican hopes that Huey Long would run 3rd party and steal votes from FDR

Prior to the Election September 1935: Long is assassinated September 1935: Long is assassinated Coughlin called the President anti-God and communist; Vatican censored him Coughlin called the President anti-God and communist; Vatican censored him Townsend’s plan was countered with the Social Security Act Townsend’s plan was countered with the Social Security Act

FDR’s win  FDR’s win (he carried every state but Maine and Vermont) set up the gov’t for the next 30 years Base of coalition was: Base of coalition was: Urban workers in large northern cities and southern whites who could not vote for Abraham Lincoln’s partyUrban workers in large northern cities and southern whites who could not vote for Abraham Lincoln’s party Northern Blacks abandoned the republican party for the democrats because of New Deal economic solutions and Mrs. Roosevelt’s support of Civil RightsNorthern Blacks abandoned the republican party for the democrats because of New Deal economic solutions and Mrs. Roosevelt’s support of Civil Rights Wagner Act ensured the union voteWagner Act ensured the union vote

End of the New Deal  The following events all hurt FDR’s ability to pass New Deal legislation The court packing scheme The court packing scheme Sit down strikes Sit down strikes The recession of 1937 The recession of 1937 The failed attempt to purge Southern conservative Democrats during the elections of 1938 The failed attempt to purge Southern conservative Democrats during the elections of 1938  WWII ended the Great Depression and the demand for new social and economic programs.

Impact of the New Deal on US society  FDR greatly increased the power of the executive branch of government  The federal government became more involved in people’s lives.  Interest groups gained power  The government guaranteed most citizens minimum economic standards  The New Deal helped ensure that democratic-capitalism survived in America.