opposition to the new deal
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Opposition to the New Deal. Focus Question. New Deal Opposition. New Deal faced opposition from both left and right Transformative program Philosophical differences. Conservative Opposition. Argued the New Deal was unconstitutional Saw it as a threat to business interests - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Opposition to the New Deal
Focus Question
New Deal Opposition
• New Deal faced opposition from both left and right• Transformative program• Philosophical differences
Conservative Opposition
• Argued the New Deal was unconstitutional• Saw it as a threat to business interests• Concentrated power in the Presidency
Constitutional Arguments
• The New Deal created a new relationship between the government and the people• Greatly expanded governmental power• Several early programs ran afoul
of the Supreme Court
Threat to Business
• The New Deal reversed the 1920s• Provided for regulation of industries• Provided for organized labor
• Promised certain laborstandards
• Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938
American Liberty League
• Formed in 1934• Prevent New Deal from “subverting” the U.S.• Economic arguments• Political arguments
• Largely funded by big business
Liberal Opposition
• New Deal did not go far enough• Maintained too much of the capitalist system• Did too much for business• Did too little for the unemployed and the poor
Dr. Francis Townsend
• Addressed issues of poverty among elderly• Proposed a national pension• Must retire at 60• Would be paid $200 monthly• Must spend all the money• Paid for by a 2% national sales tax
• Led to Social Security
Huey Long the “Kingfish”
• Ran the Democratic machine of Louisiana• Proposed a “Share Our Wealth” program• Provide a $5000 salary for every family• Paid for by confiscating the wealth of the rich• Tried to tap desperation
Father Charles Coughlin
• Detroit “Radio Priest”• Popular radio host• Pushed for nationalizing banks
• Attacked the New Deal• Depression caused by “International bankers”• FDR controlled by “International bankers”
• Removed from radio by the Catholic Church
FDR and the Supreme Court• Supreme Court overturned numerous New Deal Programs• FDR saw the Court as an obstacle to the New Deal• Sought a change in his second term• Won re-election with a huge mandate
Court Packing Scheme
• Proposed a change to appointing justices• President to appoint a new justice for each justice over
70• FDR could then appoint
6 new justices• Incredible public outrage• Bill went down in defeat• Seen as an overreach