Opposition To The New Deal Flashcards
Who was Huey Long?
Governor of Louisiana who claimed FDR did not share the wealth fairly. His “Share our wealth” club wanted to tax the rich and give to the poor and it had 7.5million in 1936.
Who was Father Charles Coughlin?
Set up National Union for Social Justice to nationalise the banks and introduce national minimum wage. He said the New Deal did not do enough and his weekly broadcasts had more than 40million listeners but the Fireside Chats had more.
Who was Dr Francis Townsend?
He set up the Old Age Revolving Pensions Plan - aka the Townsend Club. It had 5million members by 1935 and proposed to tax business to fund $200 per month payment to retired over 60s as long as they spend all of it.
What did the Supreme Court do to oppose the New Deal?
It was dominated by Republicans.
> The sick Chicken Case- 4 brothers were found selling diseased chicken and taken to court by the NIRA. The Supreme Court found the NIRA unconstitutional and 750 NIRA Codes were scrapped.
> US vs Butler - the Court found the AAA unconstitutional as the federal government should not have a say in state governments.
To what extent did the New Deal work?
The US unemployment rate did not really drop until WWII. Still 7million unemployed in the lowest year.
How were black people let down?
Only 1 New Deal law for black people, did not outlaw lynching.
How were women let down?
Some NIRA codes required women to be paid less. Out of 2.8million, only 8000 were women employed by the CCC.
What are arguments for the New Deal?
GNP reached 1929 level in 1940 $100billion.
No significant bank failures after 1934 and fewer businesses went bankrupt.
