IV. Trouble for the New Deal
A. The New Deal marked a significant shift in the
relationship between government and the
American people.
B. Some reformers and radicals believed the New
Deal had not gone far enough
1. Wanted a complete overhaul of capitalism
2. Banking system was propped up
C. Leading critics of the New Deal
1. Senator Huey P. Long
a. Believed FDR was too
friendly with business
and banks
b. Share the Wealth
Society
i.
“Every Man a
King”
ii. Give every family
$5000 to buy a
house, plus an
income of $2500
a year
c. To pay for this
proposed heavy taxes
on wealthy Americans
2. Father Charles
Coughlin
a. A Catholic Priest
b. 1/3 of the nation tuned
in to hear his weekly
radio show.
c. His program featured
religious messages and
political commentary
d. Was critical of the
nation’s bankers and
financial leaders
e. Like Long, he felt that
FDR was not doing
enough to curb the
power of the rich
3. Dr. Francis Townsend
a. Criticized the New Deal
for not doing enough for
older Americans
b. Proposed a plan for
providing pensions to
people over the age of 60
4. American Liberty League
a. Felt the New Deal had
gone too far
b. Led by Al Smith
c. Believed the New Deal’s
policies were antibusiness
d. The League met with little
success
V. Opposition from the courts
1. The New Deal changed in basic ways the relationship
between the American people and their government
2. Critics believe the New Deal gave the president too much
power
a. Presidentially appointed administrators rather than
Congress
b. Making rules that effect millions of people
3. New Deal cases were making their way to the Supreme
Court
a. Decisions would lead to sharp blows against the New
Deal
i. Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States
ii. United States v. Butler
Daily Questions
1. Identify three major critics of the New Deal in its early
years.
2. What viewpoint did Huey P. Long, Father Charles
Coughlin, and Dr. Francis Townsend share in common?
3. Create a sequence of events for using Monday,
Tuesday, and today’s notes.
4. Why do you think FDR’s first act as president was trying
to restore confidence in the nation’s banking system?
5. Of the three main goals – relief, recovery, and reform –
which do you think was the most important? Explain.