Attacks on the New Deal Three Prominent Attackers –Father Charles E. Coughlin – “Radio Priest” Attacked FDR –Huey Long – Sen. Louisiana Take from wealthy, give to poor –Dr. Francis Townsend Give pensions to all over 60 President announced a Second New Deal in response

Work Relief and Social Security Works Progress Administration (WPA) – 1935 –Employed writers, musicians, artists, teachers –Other agencies increase employment as well Social Security Act – 1935 –Unemployment insurance –Retirement benefits –Did not protect all groups

Business and Labor The Wagner Act – 1935 –NIRA was declared unconstitutional –Established a National Labor Relations Board Arbitrate, reinstate workers, promote unions The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) –Industrial union –Made gains for steel workers and those in the auto industry

The 1936 Election Democrats: FDR –Endorsed the New Deal Republicans: Alf Landon (Kansan) –Attacked FDR for so much govt spending Many still supported the New Deal –FDR won in a landslide

The New Deal and the Supreme Court Court struck down many New Deal programs Roosevelt considered his landslide election a mandate –Rejuvenate the court Roosevelt would add 6 more justices Both parties opposed, and he was unable to carry through

Later New Deal Measures By 1937 the economy was back to 1929 levels –Quickly slumped into a recession President said businesses failed to re- invest Expanded the WPA and increased military spending

Later New Deal Measures Fair Labor Standards Act – 1938 –Abolished child labor –Floor on wages, ceiling on hours New Farm Security Administration –Coped with surpluses Food stamps to distribute crops Election of 1938 added more Republican seats in Congress –Roosevelt took this as a message to stop the New Deal