oppostion to the new deal Flashcards
Who was the ex-governor of Louisiana who opposed the new deal and what did he propose?
Huey Long- wanted a “share are wealth scheme” which would reduce personal fortunes to $3 million, income max of $1 million per year, pensions to over 60s and electrical items.
What did Dr Francis Townsend suggest?
Townsend wanted $200 pensions per month as long as money had to be spent to stimulate the economy.
Who set up the national union for social justice?
Father Coughlin- used his radio broadcast to attack FDR.
What did republicans and businessmen think of the New Deal?
Too many worthless jobs were created (which were nicknamed boondoggling) such as pigeon scaring.
High taxes discouraged the rich from working hard.
New deal agencies like the TVA crushed small businesses and ended private enterprise.
There were too many codes and regulations
The government was behaving like socialists/communists by supporting trade unions and controlling people’s lives too much.
What rumours did republicans spread about FDR?
That he was crippled due to an STD and not polio to help try and beat him in the coming election.
What did the supreme court think of the new deal?
That it was unconstitutional and that they were undermining state laws and imposing too much control on people’s way of living. So they shut down the AAA, NRA and PWA. in 1935 the NRA tried to shut down Schechter poultry corporation however they appealed to the supreme court which said the NRA couldn’t interfere with state laws. This angered FDR and he threatened to create 6 more democratic judges who would support his policies so they can outvote the republicans. FDR was forced to back down as the public was alarmed because he was behaving like a dictator.
