1. New Deal Critics Topic 5.4

2. Despite his critics, FDR was a hero to MILLIONS of Americans
***Despite his critics, FDR was a hero to MILLIONS of Americans*** ***Even if his New Deal Policies did not perfectly help Americans economically, it gave hope to Americans. ***Hope & government aid for its citizens in time of need were the legacies of the New Deal.

3. Limitations of the New Deal
Women
Men received preferred hiring status in relief jobs
Jobs went to male “heads of families” unless men were unable to work
lower pay for women
Social Security did not include domestic work
No New Deal provisions protected domestic service

4. Limitations of the New Deal
African Americans
Reinforced racial segregation
Excluded blacks from professional or “skilled” labor in large public works projects.
Lower pay for the same work
Did nothing to stop the rising tide of lynching
Social Security Act excluded both farmers & domestic workers

5. Limitations of the New Deal
Despite all this, FDR enjoyed wide support from African Americans
African Americans had the highest unemployment rates
Those that got a job through New Deal programs supported FDR
FDR appointed more African Americans policymaking post than any President before him

6. Critics of the New Deal A number of Republicans opposed Roosevelt
The New Deal goes too far:
A number of Republicans opposed Roosevelt
Believed the New Deal went to far
Many critics saw New Deal Programs as being socialistic
Critics called most New Deal Programs “un-American” because they “smacked of Bolshevism”, and limited personal freedom.

7. Critics of the New Deal
Conservative Republicans believed the Social Security System penalized Americans by forcing them to pay into a system that they might not need.
Predicted soon people would have to wear dog tags engraved with their Social Security numbers
The rich HATED FDR!
FDR pushed through a series of higher taxes aimed at the rich

8. The New Deal doesn’t go far enough:
Many New Deal critics (Socialists & Communists) said that New Deal programs should redistribute the personal wealth of the country & that the government should take even more control over the economy.
Upton Sinclair-ran for governor of California
New economic system in which the state would take over factories and farms
Progressive & liberal democrat critics complained that The New Deal did not eliminate poverty.

9. Demagogues
Demagogues-leaders who manipulate people with half-truths, deceptive promises, and scare tactics
During they Depression, this meant they made fiery speeches that were sometimes on the radio denouncing FDR and New Deal Policies.

10. Huey Long Country lawyer who grew up in poverty
Won governorship of Louisiana in 1929
Became United States senator in 1939
Worked to help the underprivileged by improving Education and Medical care
Political critic of FDR.
Argued for the redistribution of wealth
Huey Long

11. Father Coughlin Catholic Priest who was a flip-flopping critic of FDR.
At first he supported FDR and the New Deal later he denounced them
Called FDR “great betrayer and liar”
Used the radio to broadcast his message
Reached an audience of more than 10 million
Lost support because of Pro-Nazi sentiments
Both Coughlin and Long used half-truths and scare tactics, which lead them to become known as Demagogues

12. Modern Day Critics
To many Americans FDR was one of the nation’s greatest Presidents
Critics feel the New Deal created “make work” jobs instead of allowing the free market to determine what jobs and how many were needed
Critics did not like deficit spending
Paying out more money from the annual federal budget than the government receives in revenues

13. New Deal Programs were financed by heavier taxation that took money out of the pockets of consumers.

14. The Court Packing Fiasco
Arguing that he wanted to lighten the burden on the aging justices
FDR asked congress if he could appoint 6 more
One for each justice over 70 years old
Wanted to “pack” the court with judges supportive of the New Deal
Negative reaction
Strong opposition forced FDR to withdraw his reform bill

15. The Court Packing Fiasco
Critics from all sides condemned this action as an attack on separation of powers. (Most condemned FDR action of his presidency).
American politicians & citizens believed this made FDR to powerful believing he was trying to take over the power of the Judicial Branch.

16. 2nd New Deal cutbacks – FDR eventually started to scale back New Deal spending because of rising nation debt

17. Effects of the New Deal 5.5 and 5.6

18. Effects of the New Deal Economic
Relieved poverty in some segments of society
Some people were working
Others were still unemployed

19. Effects of the New Deal Economic
Created large deficits; raised the national debt.

20. Effects of the New Deal Economic
Strengthened unions (Wagner Act and Closed Shop laws)
Sit-down strike-strike in which laborers stop working but refuse to leave the building
Supporters outside the workplace set up picket lines
Together the strikers and the picket lines prevent the company from bringing in scabs

21. Effects of the New Deal Economic
Created large public works projects (i.e. – Hoover Dam, various city halls, etc.)

22. Effects of the New Deal Economic
Strengthened banks and the stock market
The Federal Deposit Insurance (FDIC)
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Regulated the stock market

23. Effects of the New Deal Political
Changed people’s view of the role of government.
Expanded the role of the federal Government
Government intervention

24. Effects of the New Deal Political
Provided much political controversy.

25. Effects of the New Deal Social
Excluded help for tenant farmers.
A person who farms rented land

26. Social
Discriminated against women and minorities.

27. Social
Provided hope to Americans that they would be able to make it through the Depression

28. Cultural Encouraged popular and fine arts.
Created the Federal Writers Project.
Created the Federal Music Project.
Created Federal Theatre Project
WPA

29. Thomas Hart Benton
Painter who created modern murals of working class scenes.

30. Marian Anderson African American opera singer
Denied use of Independence Hall in Philadelphia by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

31. invited by Eleanor Roosevelt to sing in front of the Lincoln Monument instead.

32. The New Deal Today… Impact is still debated
Allowed millions to SURVIVE the Depression.

33. New Deal Organizations & Laws that still exist today:
Security & Exchange Commission
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
Tennessee Valley Authority
Social Security Administration

34. Culture During the Depression
Entertainment became a big business during the 1920s
Radio networks NBC , CBS
Film companies MGM ,Twentieth Century Fox, Paramount

35. Temporary Relief From the Challenges of the Depression
Movies were about the great times in the past or America’s great future; not about current times.
Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Frankenstein
Gone With the Wind

36. The Wizard of Oz 1939 One of the most memorable depression-era films
Promised audiences that their dreams really would come true

37. The Radio’s Increasing Popularity
National radio networks broadcast popular shows starring comedians
Bob Hope Jack Benny
Soap Operas
Variety Shows
Dramatic shows such a The Lone Ranger

38. Dorothea Lange
Created powerful images of impoverished farmers and migrant workers

39. John Steinbeck The Grapes of Wrath
Follows the fictional Joad family from their home on Oklahoma (Dust Bowl) to California where they hope to build a better life
Instead of the promised land the Joads encounter exploitation, disease, hunger, and political corruption