How far did Supreme Court opposition hinder the New Deal?

Question 1

Did hinder the New Deal (Supreme Court destroyed two of FDR’s most significant measures)

Answer 1

• Sick Chickens case (1935) ruled the NRA unconstitutional on the grounds that the federal government could only rule on commerce and industry that crossed state boundaries.
  Only state governments had the right to rule on commerce and industry within states

Question 2

Did hinder the New Deal (FDR’s response to Supreme Court opposition ruined his reputation and decreased his power)

Answer 2

• Judiciary Reform Bill (1937) tried to increase the number of judges from 9 to 15, and force judges to retire at 70. The bill was rejected by the Senate. Opinion polls showed that 50% of Americans thought FDR was trying to become a dictator.
• In the 1938 Congressional elections, Republicans doubled their seats. This made it extremely difficult for FDR to pass new measures: there were no New Deal measures after Jan 1939.

Question 3

Didn’t hinder the New Deal

Answer 3

• FDR won the 1936 Presidential election with 61% of the vote.
• Supreme Court opposition decreased after FDR’s election victory of 1936. They upheld the National Labor Relations Act (1835) and the Social Security Act (1935) - two key measures of the Second New Deal.