POLITICAL PRESSURE AND OPPOSITION TO THE NEW DEAL Historical Context Many people viewed First Hundred Days as a response to the national emergency Some sought to extend power of federal gov’t even more while others wanted to lessen the power of the federal government
VARIED CRITICISM There were economic, political and social critiques of the New Deal Economic: Deficit Spending and Regulation of Businesses Political: Federal Government too powerful Social: Diminishing Individual Liberty
DIFFERENT KINDS OF CRITICS Business Opposition Republican Party and other Conservatives Demagogues and Populists Critics of FRD’s Court Packing Plan
DEMAGOGUES A leader who makes use of popular prejudices and false claims and promises in order to gain power
POPULISTS a believer in the rights, wisdom, or virtues of the common people
BUSINESS OPPOSITION (CONSERVATIVE) Wealthy business leaders criticized the New Deal because of…. High taxation on businesses Too much gov’t regulation Specifically opposed SEC and NIRA
DICTATOR ROOSEVELT? The enormous power and scope of the New Deal led some to believe that Roosevelt was like a fascist dictator Fascism: A governmental system led by a dictator having complete power
REPUBLICANS AND OTHER CONSERVATIVES Opposed deficit spending Opposed many direct relief programs Viewed New Deal as an attack on free institutions Violated business owners (NIRA) and farmers (AAA) Diminished individual liberty
THE AMERICAN LIBERTY LEAGUE Collaboration of conservatives Campaigned against New Deal Radicalism New Deal violated the respect for the rights of individuals and property
FATHER CHARLES COUGHLIN (DEMAGOGUE) Radio sermons reached million listeners Favored a guaranteed annual income Supported nationalization of the banks Sermons were often Anti-Semitic Connected bankers with Jewish Conspiracy
HUEY LONG (POPULIST) Louisiana Governor and Senator New Deal did NOT do enough for the poor Strong supporter of public education Opposed the Federal Reserve System
LONG’S SHARE OUR WEALTH PROGRAM Wealth redistribution program Tax Corporations and wealthy individuals Distribute that money to the less fortunate “Every Man a King”
THE SUPREME COURT (MID 1930’S) Made up of mostly conservative justices Ruled the NIRA and AAA unconstitutional Federal government was abusing its power over states and business
THE COURT PACKING PLAN (1937) Roosevelt wanted to add one judge for everyone over 70. New court would have 15 justices New justices would be appointed by Roosevelt
CRITICS OF COURT PACKING Included Republicans AND Democrats Roosevelt was violating judicial independence Roosevelt was violating separation of powers and checks and balances
LEGACY OF THE NEW DEAL TODAY CONSERVATIVES Made federal government too large/powerful Stifled free enterprise LIBERALS President Roosevelt did NOT do enough to eliminate social and economic inequalities
THE NEW DEAL TODAY 1. President shapes our economy 2. FDIC and bank failure 3. SEC and bank regulation (2000’s recession) 4. Social Security