A.
Opposition to the New Deal
Some critics thought the New Deal went too far.
1. Socialism?
–
Some saw the New Deal as socialistic
–
Thought the federal government had gotten to large
2. Financial Concerns
–
Some believed the New Deal programs would bankrupt the country

3. Roosevelt a Dictator?
–
The conservative
Liberty League thought the powers of the presidency had gotten too large
–
They thought
Roosevelt was becoming a dictator

4.
Supreme Court – Parts of the NIRA and the
AAA were found to be unconstitutional.
–
FDR tried to change the Supreme Court by adding six more justices. Congress didn’t go for the plan.

•
B. New Deal not Enough
–
Other critics thought the New Deal did not go far enough
Dr. Francis Townsend – Wanted FDR to do more for the older people in the country.
1. Nationalization of American Resources
–
Father Charles E. Coughlin (Catholic Priest)
–
He called for the Nationalization of American wealth and resources
•
All businesses and all wealth controlled by the government
–
Used his weekly radio show to promote these ideas

2. Huey Long
–
–
Louisiana Senator
Called for a more equal distribution of wealth in
America
–
Proposed a “Share the
Wealth” program
•
Every family would receive
$2,500 income a year
•
Would be paid for by higher taxes on the
Wealthy
–
Long was assassinated in
1935

A. Republican Party
1. Presidential
Candidate
–
Alfred M. Landon
(Governor of
Kansas)

2. Republican Support
–
Most of their support came from the business community
–
Problems with labor unrest, the continuing depression, and Supreme Court opposition to the New Deal also helped the Republicans

B. Democratic Party
1. Presidential Candidate
–
Franklin D. Roosevelt

2. Democratic Message
–
•
Roosevelt said the
Republicans had given the Americans:
“Nine crazy years at the [stock market] ticker and three long years in the breadlines.”

3. Democratic Support
–
A majority of Americans supported Roosevelt
–
Richard Wright wrote:
Where I come from, they’re all singing
‘Roosevelt! You’re my man!
When the times come
I ain’t got a cent,
You buy my groceries
And pay my rent.
Mr. Roosevelt, you’re my man.’

C. Outcome
–
Roosevelt won an even bigger victory than in
1932
–
Roosevelt: 523 Electoral Votes
–
Landon: 8 Electoral Votes

A. The New Deal Revolution
–
Changed many aspects of American life
–
Expanded the Role of the Federal Government
–
Increased the power and role of the President

B. Did the New Deal end the Great Depression?
1. Maybe Yes
–
New Deal programs prevented a total economic and political collapse of the US
–
It created agencies and programs to help prevent future depressions
2. Maybe No
–
It never brought full economic recovery
–
The US suffered another small depression in
1937-1938