Supreme Court Opposition

Question 1

Why did the Supreme Court oppose the New Deal

Answer 1

• 7/9 judges on the Supreme Court had been appointed by Republican presidents and so were unsympathetic to Roosevelt. They held their positions for life so were hard to remove from power
• The Liberty League encouraged the Supreme Court to oppose the New Deal on the basis that it was unconstitutional

Question 2

How far did this opposition enjoy support?

Answer 2

DID:

• The Republican Party and the ALL supported Supreme Court opposition
• Republican gains in the 1938 Congressional elections suggest public opposition to FDR following the Judiciary Reform Bill

DIDN’T:

• Congress continued to pass New Deal measures during the period of Supreme Court opposition
• FDR’s victory in the 1936 Presidential election suggests widespread support for the ND, and opposition to the Supreme Court