15.2 Criticism and the Second New Deal

Conservative Criticism• Conservatives believed that FDR’s liberal

policies creating too much change to quickly– Conservative Supreme Court Justices declared the

first AAA unconstitutional

Conservative Criticism– In response, in 1937 FDR decided he wanted to

increase the number of S.C. Justices • He would choose justices who agreed with him• This plan failed miserably, even the public was upset

w/ FDR

“Court packing

plan”

“Second” New Deal

• Approx. 1937, after his reelection in 1936• Helped farmers choose better crops, find

new land to farm, and receive loans

“Second” New Deal• The Works Progress Administration (WPA)

was similar to the PWA and CCC– Put people to work building roads, airports, &

other infrastructure– Some complained this was just a “make-work” • where the govt. makes up unnecessary jobs for the

unemployed

“Second” New Deal

• Social Security Act (1935):1. Monthly checks to retired people (65 & up)2. Unemployment checks (for when you lose

your job and are looking for another)3. Checks to the disabled and to poor families w/

children

• This law has fundamentally changed how we look at the govt.’s job to protect its most vulnerable citizens