Who is this?

1. Who is this?

2. People either loved or hated him. What did this governor do that made him so different and so controversial? Huey Long-Introduction

3. Long was born August 30, 1893 in Winnfield, Louisiana. The political views of his hometown may have influenced his thinking. Winn Parish was the home of the Populist movement in Louisiana, and in 1912 the Socialist candidate for president got 36% of the parish’s vote. Long probably heard talk of the unfair distribution of wealth and may have influenced his politics. Long was the seventh child in a family of nine children. Huey P. Long’s Early Life

4. Huey P. Long’s Early Life, cont. • He was from a middle class family, although he later claimed he was from a poor, deprived family. • Long told the wife of the Superintendent of Education that he intended to become the governor of Louisiana and he would remember that she was nice to him.

5. Huey P. Long’s Early Life described as brilliant, even by his enemies, had a photographic memory, but he was never a good student Quit high school and became a traveling salesmen The contacts that he made traveling door to door in the country helped in politics. He met his wife Rose while in Shreveport, Louisiana. Long’s next career move was to enroll in law school. Before completing the program, he arranged for a special bar exam just for himself. He said he did not have the time or money to continue classes and was ready to go to work. No one has ever received such special arrangements. He passed the test and practiced law in Shreveport.

6. Huey P. Long’s Early Life 1918 He told his wife he planned to be the governor, a U.S. senator, and then the president of the United States. Because of his age (24), he could only run for Railroad Commission. Long introduced a new technique-he mailed circulars to voters. Also, he borrowed money to buy a car and returned to visit the rural residents he had met while he worked as a traveling salesmen. Deduct System-people who received state jobs were expected to contribute regularly to his campaign fund. This money was deducted from state employees’ pay.

7. Huey P. Long’s Early Life, cont. • By 1923, Long ran for governor. He did not win. • He later ran in 1927. He analyzed the first race and realized he needed the support of the Acadian Catholic farmers in addition to the Protestant hill farmers. He therefore offered to support Catholic candidates in other races and campaigned on their behalf. He selected a running mate who could campaign in French. • His first campaign for governor, he used the new medium of radio to speak to the people of Louisiana. • During second campaign, a Shreveport radio station gave him free air time. • Long also used trucks with sound systems to help with his campaign.

8. Long as Governor In 1928 Huey P. Long was elected governor of Louisiana.

9. Positive Steps: Getting the state on the road to progress meant paving roads first-literally. Long convinces the legislature to change the constitution to allocate money for him to use Church Sponsored Schools? What is the problem with this today? Taxes Poll Taxes Abolished Property Tax with high homestead exemption

10. Growing Opposition • As Long pushed for his programs, his style offended more and more people. Many people thought his personal crudeness and character were inappropriate for a governor. His verbal attacks on critics and opponents were ruthless and his favorite target was big business. His feud with Standard Oil Company over regulations and taxes became legendary.

11. Growing Opposition, • Long believed that profits earned by big business in the state were too high and that big business did not do enough in return. • He needed more money to fulfill his promises, and he wanted the business interests to pay for his programs. • In 1929, Long started an effort to raise the oil severance tax. Standard Oil led the fight against this tax increase.

12. Huey Long as Senator Long became even more aggressive as he headed toward his political goal. The next step in his planned path to the White House was the United States Senate. He ran for the Senate in 1930, after he had been governor for onlytwo years. He won the race, but he refused to take the oath of office or leave the state until he was sure that he had total control. Lt. Governor Paul Cyr had become an enemy because he was too independent. Huey Long did not intend to allow him to take over as governor. Long manipulated the situation so that he could leave Alvin O. King, president of the senate, in charge as the acting governor. So, in a way Huey was both U.S. Senator AND Governor of Louisiana (Huey has sweet skills!)

13. Long as Senator • O.K. Allen(Governor) Long’s puppet Continued Long’s social program(CharityHospital and LSU Medical School in New Orleans). • Long vs. LSU-Long felt he should be in control of the school • In 1932, Long believed he total control of the Louisiana government, he finally reported to Washington. • He made sure the legislature knew that the “Kingfish”(“Amos and Andy” radio show) had arrived.

14. Share whose wealth? Mine? Nuhuh! Economic Program “Share Our Wealth” The American Dream? Used his radio program broadcasts to acquire national attention to his program (Depression Era). Share Our Wealth Program Eliminate poverty by giving every family a minimum income of $5,000 year, financed by limiting individual incomes to a maximum of $1 million a year. Provide old-age pensions of $30 a month to elderly people who had less than $10,000 in cash. Heavy estate and income taxes that would prevent any family from owning a fortune of more than $5 million. Revenues would be used to support a large public-works program and subsidy education.

15. Long as Senator Long and Roosevelt Long initially supported President Franklin Roosevelt and his New Deal Program (name given to the programs enacted by Congress during President Roosevelt’s first two terms to deal with the problems and hardships caused by the Great Depression). Later he turned against the president and criticized him and his programs in his radio broadcasts. Historians believe the New Deal programs offered more benefits for people, including social security and minimum wage. President Roosevelt described Huey Long as one of the most dangerous men in America.

16. Huey Long’s Last Days Long continued to return home to Louisiana and push the legislature to pass numerous bills he supported. In the fall of 1935, Long had several plans to put in effect. He wanted to pass laws giving him control of the New Deal programs in the state. Long wanted legislature to pass a bill (gerrymandering) designed to punish a political enemy (Judge Benjamin Pavy). Huey P. Long was assassinated September 8, 1935. He died two days later. Theories concerning his assassination Did Dr. Carl Weiss, the son-in-law of Judge Pavy actual fire the shots that killed Long? Was Long hit by bullets from more than one gun? Was the medical care Long received correct?

17. Long’s Last Days After Huey Long died, his legacy of roads, bridges, hospitals, and free textbooks remained. Two buildings in the capital city tell the story as clearly as anything else he left-the governor’s mansion and the Capitol building.