Opposition to the New Deal

Learn about key critics of the New Deal like Huey Long and Father Coughlin.

Huey Long- Share Our Wealth Although Republicans formed natural opposition to the policies of the Democratic administration, it was a Democratic senator from Louisiana, Huey Long, who became Roosevelt’s most fervent opponent. As governor, Long used strong-arm tactics to intimidate the legislature into providing roads and bridges to the poorest parts of the state. In 1934, Long established the Share Our Wealth movement built upon populist slogans of the redistribution of wealth (e.g., capping personal fortunes, taxation of the rich, guaranteed income, etc.). Long proposed a 100% tax on personal fortunes exceeding a million dollars. The elderly would receive pensions. The poorest Americans were promised an estate worth no less than $5000, with a $2500 yearly minimum income guaranteed. He popularized his ideas through radio and Share Our Wealth clubs began to mushroom across the country.One of Governor Long's most famous quotes is “We do not propose to say that there shall be no rich men. We do not ask to divide the wealth. We only propose that, when one man gets more than he and his children and children’s children can spend or use in their lifetimes, that then we shall say that such person has his share. That means that a few million dollars is the limit to what any one man can own.”While some labeled Long a socialist, Roosevelt called him “one of the two most dangerous men in America” and accused him of spreading fascism. Long gained massive support. Share Our Wealth clubs had millions of members and tens of millions of Americans listened to Long on the radio every week. Democrats worried that a Long bid for the Presidency might steal votes from FDR in 1936, but an assassin's bullet ended the Kingfish's life in 1935. Which was NOT one of Huey Long's ideas under his Share the Wealth program? Capping personal fortunes Taxing the Rich Guaranteeing a basic income Communist takeover of the United States Which statement probably best explains why Huey P. Long's "Share Our Wealth" movement appealed to so many Americans during the 1930s? Many Americans were concerned their taxes would increase . Many Americans were unemployed and were concerned about the state of the economy. Many Americans were worried about the growing budget deficit. Many Americans were concerned the government was too powerful. What happened to Huey Long and cut his political career short He was paralyzed in a tragic boating accident He retired after his son died from polio He was impeached and removed from the Senate for illegal gambling He was assassinated Dr. Townsend- The Townsend Plan Another popular challenger of the New Deal was Francis Townsend, a physician from California. In 1934, he proposed the so-called Townsend Plan, which called for a monthly pension for the elderly (all Americans 60 years old or older). The retirees would receive a monthly check for $200, a considerable income during the Depression. There was one catch. The recipients had to agree to spend the entire sum within a month. Townsend argued that this plan would ignite the economy, as well as provide for a proper pension for those who had worked so hard for so long. Townsend popularized his plan through a letter sent to a local newspaper and the idea quickly gained substantial support.Townsend fully expected Roosevelt to endorse his plan. Roosevelt, like most establishment figures of the era, saw the Townsend Plan as too expensive and unworkable. There is some evidence that Roosevelt was prodded to introduce his Social Security proposal to counter the growing influence of the Townsend Plan.Townsend and his followers were bitterly disappointed with Social Security because it did not promise immediate payments in 1935, because the benefits Social Security promised were small compared to the $200 per month that Townsend wanted, and because people had to work under the Social Security program to earn a payment. What program does the Townsend Plan resemble the most? Social Security The Square Deal The Schlieffen Plan The Manhattan Project What did someone have to agree to in order to receive their check under the Townsend Plan? Serve 15 years in the military Forfeit their first amendment rights Give up drinking and smoking Spend the entire check in a month Which is Not a reason why Townsend and his supporters were disappointed with FDR's Social Security plan The payments were smaller compared to the Townsend Plan They required the recipients to spend the checks within two weeks The payments did not start immediately People had to work in order to receive a payment Father Coughlin- National Union of Social Justice Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest and an extremely popular radio show host, initially supported Roosevelt. However, by 1934, he became one of the harshest critics of the New Deal.Although anti-Semitic themes appeared in some of Coughlin's speeches fairly early in his career, it wasn't until the late 1930s that the priest's rhetoric became increasingly filled with attacks on Jews. By 1938, the pages of "Social Justice" were frequently filled with accusations about Jewish control of America's financial institutions. In the summer of that year, Coughlin published a version of "The Protocols of the Elders of Zion." A virulently anti-Semitic piece of propaganda that had originated in Russia at the turn of the century, the "Protocols" accused Jews of planning to seize control of the world. Jewish leaders were shocked by Coughlin's actions. He blamed communists and Jews for the Great Depression and his radio show was increasingly anti-Semitic and sympathetic towards Hitler and Mussolini.Looking to undermine FDR, Coughlin founded the National Union for Social Justice in 1934 and in 1935, he helped found the Union Party. His organization centered around 16 main points includingliberty of conscience and education;nationalization of resources too important to be held by individuals;abolition of the Federal Reserve Board;return to Congress the right to coin and regulate money;rights of workers to organize unions;requisition of wealth and conscription of men in times of war;and the principle that human rights should outweigh property rights.The organizations aimed to challenge Roosevelt’s agenda and bid for reelection. Coughlin was incredibly popular, attracting 40 million listeners at one point to his weekly broadcast. His activism attracted widespread accusations of promoting fascism and criticism of both American bishops and the Vatican. Father Coughlin was one of the first major broadcasters on a brand new technology. What piece of technology was that? Television Radio The Internet Telegraphs Father Coughlin was accused of spreading anti-Semitism in many speeches. What definition best fits the term anti-Semitism? extreme patriotism sensational journalism designed to invoke dramatic responses hatred or violence towards Judaism of Jewish descent hatred or violence towards people of Asian descent