1. Objective: To examine the criticisms of the New Deal and FDR’s conflict with the Supreme Court.
Do Now: Do you agree with any of the criticisms of the New Deal? Why, or why not?
New Deal Critics, from left to right: Senator Huey Long, Father Coughlin, the American Liberty League, and Dr. Francis Townsend

2. FDR and the Supreme Court
The Conflict:
· The Supreme Court ruled that many New Deal laws were unconstitutional.
Ex.) AAA
February 10, 1937, Columbus (Ohio) Dispatch,
"Trying to Change the Umpiring"

3. FDR’s Dilemma: There were six Supreme Court Justices against the New Deal, and three in favor of it.
A: FDR decided to add six more justices to the Supreme Court. Of course, FDR planned to select only pro-New Deal justices.
Q: FDR wanted the Supreme Court to begin supporting the New Deal. How could he do that?

4. · After winning the 1936 presidential election, FDR proposed increasing the number of Supreme Court Justices from 9 to 15.
February 14, 1937, Waterbury (CT) Republican, "Do We Want A Ventriloquist Act In The Supreme Court?"

5. February 18, 1937, Oakland (California) Tribune, "New Blood"
* This would allow FDR to appoint 6 new pro-New Deal Justices to the Supreme Court.
February 18, 1937, Oakland (California) Tribune, "New Blood"

6. February 28, 1937, Richmond (Virginia) Times Dispatch,
The Results:
· Many Americans, including New Deal supporters, felt that FDR was unfairly trying to control the Supreme Court.
February 28, 1937, Richmond (Virginia) Times Dispatch,
"What Has Become of the Old-Fashioned Man...?"

7. August 30, 1937 Brooklyn Citizen, "Good For Another Meal"
· FDR withdrew his plan six months later.
* However, one anti-New Deal Justice eventually changed his mind, and FDR appointed a pro-New Deal Justice to the Supreme Court after an anti-New Deal Justice retired.
August 30, Brooklyn Citizen, "Good For Another Meal"

8. Labor Reforms
Wagner Act (1935):
Robert F. Wagner, U.S. Senate portrait
· Protected workers from unfair management practices
Ex.) firing a worker for joining a union
Video (:53)
The Wagner Act was the single most important piece of labor legislation enacted in the United States in the 20th century. It was enacted to eliminate employers' interference with the organization of workers into unions.

9. · Guaranteed workers the right to collective bargaining (video – :30)
* Union membership grew from 3 million to 9 million during the 1930’s.
* Unions increased their bargaining and political power.

10. 1930’s GM Sit-Down Strike (3:44)
Marissa Tomei performs the words of a General Motors employee during a 1930’s labor strike.
Strikers cross off the number of days they have been on the sit-down strike.
The Flint sit-down strike ended on February 11, 1937, after 44 days.

11. Fair Labor Standards Act (1938):
- Set a minimum wage at 40 cents an hour
- Set the maximum workweek to 44 hours and the minimum working age to 16 in certain industries.
The Fight to End Child Labor (1:39)

12. FEDERAL MINIMUM HOURLY WAGE RATES UNDER THE FAIR LABOR STANDARDS ACT:
$0.25
$0.30
$0.40
$0.75
$1.00
1961- $1.15
$1.25
$1.15
$1.25
$1.40
$1.60
$1.30
$1.45
$1.60
$2.00
$2.10
$2.30
$2.65
$2.90
$3.10
$3.35
$3.80
$4.25
$4.75
$5.15
$5.85
$6.55
$7.25
Find the minimum wage in your state!

13. While this angered some Americans, many admired her.
Eleanor Roosevelt
Eleanor Roosevelt was a strong-minded First Lady that spoke her mind publicly on social issues.
While this angered some Americans, many admired her.
(left) Eleanor Roosevelt speaking at the United Nations in (right) Eleanor Roosevelt meets with Ethiopian leader Haile Selassie in Hyde Park, NY, 1954.

14. Mexican Americans:
During the Great Depression, many people resented having to compete with Mexicans for jobs.
Therefore, over 400,000 Mexicans were deported to Mexico, including many American citizens of Mexican descent.
Mexican mother in California. "Sometimes I tell my children that I would like to go to Mexico, but they tell me 'We don't want to go, we belong here.’” Photo by Dorothea Lange, 1935

15. Native Americans:
While Native Americans still faced discrimination and lived in poverty, a series of laws known as the Indian New Deal gave Native American nations greater control over their own affairs.
Chippewa baby at a rice field in Minnesota strapped to cradleboard while teething on an Office of Indian Affairs print magazine called "Indians at Work". (1940)

16. The New Deal: Good or Bad?
New Deal Critics:
People worried about the increased power of the government.
The New Deal used deficit spending, causing a large increase in the national debt.
Business leaders thought that unions had become too powerful.

17. New Deal Supporters:
New Deal programs were necessary for the public good.
They believed that industries needed to be regulated by the government in order to prevent another depression.