American History Chapter 16: The New Deal

1. American History Chapter 16: The New Deal II. The New Deal’s Critics

2. Objectives • Learn about some of the New Deal’s shortcomings and limitations. • Discover the chief complaints of FDR’s critics inside and outside of politics. • See how the court-packing fiasco harmed FDR’s reputation.

3. Bell Ringer • I feel that our President is doing an outstanding job, and I agree with his policies • Do you agree • Consider the reasons people criticize their leaders. • Page 545

4. A) The Limitations of the New Deal • Fair Labor Standards Act set minimum wage at 25 cents an hour – less than what most made • Women and minorities treated unfairly • New Deal programs gave jobs to men – “heads of families” – nothing for domestic service – largest female occupation (546) • SS did not cover farmers or domestic workers – 2/3 of AA – bill making lynching a federal crime was not endorsed by Roosevelt (546) • AA did support Roosevelt – first fired last hired were happy for jobs – more minorities appointed to key positions than any other President. • Marian Anderson

5. B) Political Critics • New Deal does too much: (rich and business leaders) TVA and REA socialistic – tax on rich – SS militaristic – Bolshevism – unAmerican • American Liberty League: Organization founded in 1934 opposed to the New Deal (Alfred Smith) • New Deal does not do enough: Upton Sinclair (Socialist) ran for governor of California – won Democrat primary – wanted state to take over factories and farms • Progressivism revived in Wisconsin – asking for greater redistribution of wealth

6. C) Other Critics • demagogues: leaders who manipulate people with half-truths, deceptive promises, and scare tactics. • Father Coughlin – dynamic speaker who used the radio to broadcast his message. • nationalization: government takeover and ownership of banks, businesses and property • At first supported Roosevelt then late attacked him – started praising Hitler and Mussolini and became anti-Semitic – ordered to stop by the Catholic church in 1942

7. Huey Long: Louisiana Senator and Governor • Supported New Deal at first later said did not do enough • Wanted “Share Our Wealth” – limit income to $1 mil and inheritance to $5 mil – government take rest • Give families $5,000 household estate and annual income of $2,500 • Assassinated before the presidential election in 1936

8. D) Modern –Day Critics • Hindered economic progress, threatened free enterprise, encouraged inefficient use of resources, powerful government, and usurped state governments • “made jobs” instead of allowing economy to do it on own – heavy taxes – paid farmers not to plant – deficit spending • Deficit spending: paying out more money from the annual federal budget than the government receives in revenue. • Did it violate free market? Or was the relief worth it?

9. E) The Court-Packing Fiasco • Biggest Roosevelt criticism • 6 judges for everyone over 70 years old – “lighten the burden” • Influencing Judicial Branch – attacking checks and balances • Dictators in Europe – scared Americans • Started upholding 2nd New Deal anyway – better thought out – retired and replaced with pro-New Deal justices anyway

10. Review • What were some of the shortcomings and limits of the New Deal? • What were the chief complaints of FDR’s critics inside and outside of politics? • How did the court-packing fiasco harm FDR’s reputation?