Opposition to the New Deal Flashcards
1
Q
Why did Republicans oppose Roosevelt and the New Deal?
A
- Threat to ‘rugged individualism’
- Different from laissez-faire policy
- Expansion of power could lead to dictatorship (disapproved packing plan)
- Deficit spending would negatively affect the economy
- Welfare policies would harm work ethic and create dependency
2
Q
Why did wealthy Republicans regard him as a class traitor?
A
- FDR created policies to help the lower classes
- Taxes on the rich
- Pensions
3
Q
Was Republican opposition to the New Deal effective?
A
- Failed largely (packing plan which led to divide in democratic party was more harmful than any republican opposition)
- Lost three elections in landslides
- Weakened by New Deal’s coalition (black supporters)
4
Q
How did the wealthy view the New Deal?
A
- Resented FDR, he was an ‘old money’ aristocrat and was expected to be a Republican
- Hated that he helped lower class
- Refused to mention him by name
- Impacted profits of businesses in which they owned shares of
5
Q
Why did businessmen oppose FDR?
A
- Government intervention would harm capitalism
- Viewed FDR’s policies (e.g. taxation, labour rights, NIRA) as threats to wealth
- Did not like ‘dependency culture’
6
Q
In what ways did businessmen oppose FDR?
A
- Took him to court (‘sick chicken’ case)
- Formed Liberty League to distribute propaganda
- Treated Supreme Court judges who voted against New Deal legislation as celebrity heroes (lionised)
7
Q
Was business opposition to the New Deal effective?
A
- Notable court victories (e.g. ‘sick chicken’ case)
- On the whole ineffective
- Won elections by a landslide
- Liberty League lost support and ceased to exist shortly
8
Q
Who was Huey Long?
A
- Louisiana governor and senator
- Presidential ambitions
- Provided relief for the poor (spending large sums money on public works)
- Very charismatic speaker
9
Q
What was Huey Long’s Share Our Wealth Program?
A
- Highly attractive
- Had 5 million members
- Proposals like free education, old age pensions, houses for ex-servicemen
10
Q
Why did FDR call Long ‘one of the two most dangerous men in America’?
A
- Effective dictator
- Political danger to FDR himself
- Power base from his program if he decided to run as an independent candidate
11
Q
Why could Long not achieve his presidential ambitions?
A
Assassinated in 1935
12
Q
Who was Father Charles Coughlin?
A
- Popular Catholic priest
- Effective radio broadcaster (30 million)
- Anti semitic
13
Q
What similar views did Long and Coughlin have about the New Deal?
A
- Initially supported
- Criticised it because it did not go far enough
14
Q
What coalition was formed between FDR opposition? And what was their goal?
A
- Huey P Long’s successor, Gerald Smith
- Popular campaigner Francis Townshend
- Split Democratic vote to allow Republicans to win
15
Q
What isolated Coughlin from support?
A
- Increasingly anti-semitic views
- Attacked a well-liked president on his broadcast
