Criticism of the New Deal by the Liberal Left
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Explain why the New Deal faced criticism by some on the liberal left.
ESSAY
The New Deal, implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, faced criticism from some on the liberal left for various reasons. One major criticism was that the New Deal did not go far enough in addressing economic inequalities and that it made too many concessions to the business classes.
Left-wing liberals believed that the New Deal's policies fell short of enacting radical change and merely aimed to maintain the status quo rather than challenging the existing economic and social inequalities. They were disappointed that FDR's administration did not pursue more aggressive measures to redistribute wealth and power from the wealthy to the less fortunate.
One of the most vocal critics of the New Deal from the liberal left was Huey Long, the Democratic Senator from Louisiana. Long advocated for more significant federal government intervention to redistribute wealth through his 'Share Our Wealth' plan. He believed that the New Deal did not do enough to address the needs of the poor and working-class Americans.
Another significant voice of criticism came from Dr. Francis Townsend, who was a retired doctor. Dr. Townsend argued that the New Deal failed to adequately support retired individuals and provide them with financial security. His proposal for a federal pension system for the elderly gained traction and highlighted the shortcomings of the New Deal in addressing issues of economic security for seniors.
The criticisms directed at the New Deal were primarily focused on the policies of the First New Deal, implemented between 1933 and 1935. Critics argued that this phase of the New Deal prioritized economic recovery over social justice and creating a more equal society. However, it is worth noting that President Roosevelt did respond to some of these criticisms by introducing social security for the elderly as part of the Second New Deal.
In conclusion, the New Deal faced criticism from the liberal left for various reasons, including perceived inadequacies in addressing economic inequalities, making concessions to the business classes, and prioritizing economic recovery over social justice. While the New Deal was a significant step towards addressing the challenges of the Great Depression, its shortcomings prompted valid criticisms from those who believed in more radical reforms to promote a fairer and more equal society.
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NOTES
- Many left-wing liberals simply believed that the New Deal did not go far enough and that FDR was making too many concessions to the business classes. They saw the New Deal’s policies as rejecting radical change in favour of accepting the current economic and social inequalities.
- Huey Long, the Democratic Senator for Louisiana, was the best-known critic of the New Deal from the left. He wanted more federal government action to redistribute wealth from the rich to the poor, as shown by his ‘Share Our Wealth’ plan. Dr Francis Townsend, a retired doctor, also opposed the New Deal for failing to support retired people.
- These criticisms applied to the First New Deal of 1933–1935, which was more concerned with reversing the US economy’s rapid decline than with promoting social justice and a more equal society. Huey Long was assassinated in 1935, effectively ending his movement, whereas FDR did introduce social security for the elderly as part of the Second New Deal. Accept any other valid responses.