Opposition to the New Deal

Liberal Critics

• 1st New Deal in particular• Too much to aid business• Too little for unemployed

and working poor• Ignored problems of

minorities, women, and elderly

Conservative Critics

• Relief programs were borderline socialism1. Increased

regulations2. Pro-union stance (2nd

New Deal)3. Increased national

debt

Radicals

• Father Charles E. Coughlin– Catholic priest– Weekly radio broadcasts– National Union for Social

Justice• Inflationary currency• Nationalizing all banks

– Anti-Semitic and Fascist attacks

– Shut down by Vatican

Radicals

• Dr. Francis E. Townsend– Proposed a simple program to help senior citizens

• 2% Sales tax• Everyone over 60 would get $200/month ($3174/month)

– Persuaded Roosevelt to adopt a more moderate plan

Radicals• Huey P. Long

– The “Kingfish”– Senator and Governor from Louisiana– Share Our Wealth program– Criticized Roosevelt’s leadership of the

Dems, announced his candidacy for president in 1936

– Assassinated shortly thereafter

Supreme Court

• 1935– Ended the NRA and AAA

• Court Reorganization– Couldn’t appoint Justices– “Court Packing”• President could appoint a

justice for every justice older than 70

– 6 more justices who would see things Roosevelt’s way

Supreme Court

• Reaction– Tampering with Checks and balances– Dictatorial powers– First time a major bill didn’t pass

Supreme Court

• Aftermath– Justices were backing off

the New Deal anyway– Several justices retired

during FDR’s second term