Opposition to the first new deal (T2) Flashcards
What was the main reason for the right opposing the new deal?
It was too radical
What was the main reason for the left opposing the new deal?
It wasn’t radical enough
Who turned against Roosevelt in the new deal?
Many of the wealthy who had supported Roosevelt in days of the Depression
Why did many of the wealthy turn against Roosevelt in the new deal?
- Increased taxing mainly affected them
- They felt the government had become too involved
What issues were the Republicans facing at this time?
They were struggling to find a strong candidate for the 1936 election
Why were the Republicans struggling to gain support?
They were still associated with their failures in the 1930s with Hoover
When was the Liberty League organised?
April 1934
Who was the Liberty League set up by?
Many conservative Democrats as well as Republicans
What was the role of the Liberty league?
To promote private property and enterprise unregulated by the law
How did the Liberty League form an opposition to Roosevelt?
They attacked Roosevelt throughout the New Deal years - they formed the basis of right-wing opposition to him
By July 1936 how many members did the Liberty League have?
125,000
After Roosevelt’s victory in 1936, what was membership of the Liberty League like?
It became less significant after Roosevelt won the election
Which opposition was Roosevelt most concerned about at this time?
Opposition from the left
Why did Roosevelt feel particularly threatened by the left wing opposition?
He feared they would join together to form a third party to challenge him in the next election
What were some of the main threats to Roosevelt from the left?
- Huey Long
- Father Charles Coughlin
- Old Age Revolving Pensions
What was EPIC?
End Poverty In California
Who came up with the EPIC scheme?
The novelist Upton Sinclair
What would happen in the EPIC scheme?
- The unemployed would be put to work in state-run co-operatives
- They’d be paid in currency
- They could spend this other co-operatives
How successful was the EPIC scheme?
For a time they gained credibility and proved useful recruits for more serious alternative movements
Who set up ‘share our wealth’?
Huey Long
When was ‘share our wealth’ set up?
February 1934
What was ‘share our wealth’?
All private fortunes over $3 million should be confiscated and should be shared amongst the poorer people
In ‘share our wealth’, what did Huey Long suggest every family should be given enough money to buy?
- A house
- A car
- A radio
What was another factor of ‘share our wealth’ that Huey Long suggested?
- Old age pensions
- Minimum wage
- Free college education (for suitable candidates)
What did the minimum wage in the ‘share our wealth’ scheme guarantee?
Every family would have $2,000 - $3,000 per year
How many ‘share our wealth’ clubs were there across the USA?
27,431
How many members of share our wealth schemes were there?
4.6 million
Who was Huey Long?
An energetic governor of Louisiana
What had Huey Long ordered as a governor of Louisiana?
Massive public works programmes
How many miles of public paved highways were built due to Huey Long’s public works schemes?
Over 3,000 miles between 1928 and 1933
What was achieved from Huey Long’s public works schemes?
- New public buildings
- New airport in New Orleans
- Ambitious adult literacy schemes
What was an issue with the way Huey Long governed?
He governed as a dictator and opponents were treated quite brutally by his bully boys
Why did Long propose joining forces with other radicals?
They began to talk about forming a third party which would oppose Roosevelt in the 1936 election
What happened to Long in 1935?
He was assasinated
Give an example of Long’s populrity
In 1935 a secret poll was taken to test Long’s popularity - up to 4 million people might vote for Long in 1936
What were the rumours around Long’s death?
That Roosevelt’s hand was somehow behind the assasination
How did Roosevelt feel about Long’s assassination?
Relieved as his main competitor was no longer alive
Who advocated the old age pensions?
Francis Townsend
Who was Francis Townsend?
A retired doctor who advocated old age pensions with a difference
What did Francis Townsend argue pensioners should receive?
Everyone over 60 who was not in paid employment should receive $200 per month as long as it was all spent (not a cent saved)
How did the pension scheme which Francis Townsend proposed aim to help the economy?
It would pull the USA out of the Depression as it would boost consumption
How did the pension scheme that Francis Townsend proposed aim to help unemployment?
If people retire at 60 - it provides more jobs for the young
How many members did Townsend clubs have?
500,000 members - congress was being lobbied to put the plan in place
How was the pension scheme proposed by Townsend impractical?
- Payments of recipients would have been 50% of national income
- Would need an army of bureaucrats to check all money was spent
Who was Father Charles Coughlin?
A priest whose radio programme was extremely popular and very influential during the 1930s
What was Father Charles Coughlin’s radio programme called?
‘The golden hour of the little flower’
What was the audience of Father Charles Coughlin’s radio show?
It regularly commanded an audience of 30-40 million
How much did the listeners of Father Charles Coughlin’s show contribute to his parish per year?
$5 million a year to his parish in Detroit
What did Coughlin start in 1934?
The National Union for Social Justice
What was the aim of the National Union for Social Justice?
The aim of monetary reform and redistribution of wealth
Why was Roosevelt particularly afraid of Coughlin?
He had much influence and could have formed a possible alliance with Long
Why did Coughlin lose popularity?
He became increasingly anti-semitic –> blaming Jews for both the New Deal and control of Wall St.
What was thunder on the left?
The name given to various political developments that are credited with moving Roosevelt and the New Deal further to the left in 1935 and 1936
Give an example of someone from Thunder on the left
Governor Floyd B. Olson of Minnesota led the Farmer-Labour Party - proposed far reaching economic reforms
What were the results of the 1934 mid-term congressional elections?
The Democrats won 69 out of 96 seats in the Senate
What was important about the results of the 1934 mid-term elections?
It is the biggest Democratic majority to date
What was Roosevelt influenced by when deciding on his second new deal?
The increasing opposition to bid business to his measures, the more radical demands of left wing politicians
