The New Deal, 3

The New Deal, 2 KEY THEMES & ISSUES 1. What were the main sources of opposition to FDR & the New Deal, 1933-1940?

2. What were the grievances of these opponents?

3. What was the impact of this opposition? on FDR & the New Deal? on US presidency & politics? Opponents, 1: Mainstream Genuine bi-partisan concerns re: “Imperial Presidency” FDR’s “dictatorship” (4 terms) expansion of federal government

Supreme Court NRA ruled unconstitutional, 1935 FDR’s “Court packing plan,” 1936

Republicans Alf Landon, 1936 Wendall Wilkie, 1940

Opposition, 2: S/thern Conservatives Fiscal Conservatives Carter Glass, Harry Byrd, VA States Rights Beliefs fear of federal intervention in racial affairs Economic Report on Condition of the South, 1938 Conservative Manifesto FDR’s “Purges”, 1938 Walter George, GA; Ed Smith, SC Opposition, 3: Radicals Socialists Norman Thomas

Communists “Popular Front” from 1935 “Fellow Travelers”

Unions Govt. still generally supportive of employers, despite some protection of labor (ie: Wagner Act) Opponents, 4: Demagogues Father Charles E. Coughlin The Radio Priest, WJR-Detroit The Radio League of the Little Flower National Union for Social Justice, 1935 New Dealer to proto-fascist

Dr. Francis Townsend Revolving Pension Plan needs of elderly need to revive spending

Huey P. Long: “The Kingfish,” 1 New Deal-style programs from 1928 Heir to Populists & Progressives defeats New Orleans’ political elite (Choctaw Machine) public welfare/works programs takes on Standard Oil & railroads educational & health reforms

But: “The Louisiana Dictatorship” Corruption and terror The Kingfish & National Politics 1934: Nationwide “Share Our Wealth” Campaign Wealth redistribution; tax reform… Huey Long, “Everyman A King,” 1935 “Why weep or slumber America, land of brave and true? With castles and clothing and food for all, all belongs to you. Ev’ry man a King, ev’ry man a King, for you can be a millionaire. If there’s something belonging to others, there’s enough for all people to share. When it’s sunny June & December too, or in the Winter time or Spring, There’ll be peace without end, ev’ry neighbor a friend and ev’ry man a King.” Shot, Sept. 1936

After The ‘Kingfish’ The Union Party, 1936 Led by William Lemke & G.L.K. Smith includes “share the wealth” clubs, plus Coughlin & Townsend supporters

Post-1938: Challenges to FDR of reduced impact FDR/New Deal programs increasingly “radical” & reformist undercut leftist criticisms Escalating concerns re: foreign affairs dissent/criticism increasingly seen as unpatriotic

Conclusions 1. Distress of the Depression encouraged interest in radical alternatives from both left & right. 2. 3 main sources of opposition to FDR & the New Deal a. Those who saw the New Deal as too radical and interventionist: as at worst “creeping socialism,” at best as fiscally irresponsible. b. Those who saw the New Deal as too moderate and advocated more centralized government control over US social and economic affairs. c. Those who opposed FDR’s “Imperial” presidential style, regardless of their attitude to New Deal policies. 3. New Deal policies were influenced, if only indirectly, by the existence of these opponents and alternatives.