Effectiveness of New Deal Opposition
TITLE
To what extent was opposition to the New Deal effective?
ESSAY
Opposition to the New Deal, implemented by President Franklin D. Roosevelt in response to the Great Depression, was met with varying degrees of effectiveness. While some argue that opposition from the left and the Supreme Court influenced Roosevelt's policies, others contend that the Republican Party's divided stance and the lack of organized electoral opposition limited the impact of opposition.
One of the key forms of opposition to the New Deal came from leftist movements such as Communism, Huey Longism, Coughlinism, and Townsendism. These groups posed a threat to Roosevelt, prompting him to adapt his policies to address some of their demands. For example, his plans for a Wealth Tax were a response to their pressure. Additionally, the formation of the Union Party in 1936, which represented these movements, demonstrated their collective opposition. However, the Union Party gained less than one million votes, suggesting limited electoral impact.
Furthermore, the Supreme Court also posed opposition to the New Deal. The rejection of crucial New Deal legislation, such as the National Recovery Administration (NRA) and the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA), by the conservative-leaning court hindered Roosevelt's reforms. The composition of the court, with four conservative justices known as the "Four Horsemen," along with a swing judge opposing federal intervention, reflected a tradition of ruling against laws that limited individual economic freedom. This opposition from the judiciary limited the effectiveness of the New Deal.
However, the Republican Party in Congress emerged as the most significant opponent to the New Deal. Despite being divided between Eastern conservatives and Western progressives, the Republicans were able to challenge Roosevelt's reforms. The party's minority status and association with the Great Depression also worked against them, as they were blamed for the country's economic situation. The Republican approach failed to provide a viable alternative to the unprecedented depth of the depression, further limiting their effectiveness as opposition.
Outside of the Republican Party, figures like Huey Long and Charles Coughlin also opposed the New Deal. Both initially supported the program but later turned against it for being too cautious and ineffective. Long, a Democratic Senator, and Coughlin, a Roman Catholic priest, utilized the radio to gain public support. However, their popularity did not translate into organized and effective electoral opposition to Roosevelt and the Democratic Party, which gained more support in the 1936 election.
In conclusion, opposition to the New Deal had varying degrees of effectiveness. While leftist movements and the Supreme Court influenced Roosevelt's policies to some extent, the divided Republican Party and the lack of organized electoral opposition limited the impact of opposition. The New Deal ultimately prevailed, shaping the course of American history and providing relief during the Great Depression.
SUBJECT
HISTORY
PAPER
AS Level
NOTES
To what extent was opposition to the New Deal effective? Indicative content Possible discussion of effective New Deal opposition might consider the Second New Deal and how it is possible to argue that the opposition which Roosevelt faced from the left after 1933 did change his policies as he moved towards the Second New Deal and re-election. Speaking in 1935, Roosevelt himself said, ‘I am fighting Communism, Huey Longism, Coughlinism and Townsendism’. In 1936, these three movements came together to form the Union Party to contest the presidential election. It gained less than one million votes. It can be argued, however, that the threat posed by these groups to Roosevelt was such that he adapted his policies to address some of their demands, the clearest example being his plans for a Wealth Tax. Those plans did not come to much after the election, however. Some commentators go further, arguing that most of the Second New Deal was a response to these mass movements, for example, Social Security was first proposed by Francis Townsend. Furthermore, there was opposition from the Supreme Court, for example the rejection of crucial New Deal legislation, in particular the NRA and the AAA in 1935–36. The composition of the Supreme Court in 1933–36 with four conservatives – ‘the Four Horsemen’ – plus a swing judge being opposed to great federal state intervention. The tradition, based on the 1905 Lochner judgement, that the Supreme Court would always rule against laws and policies which limited individual economic freedom. Possible discussion of weaknesses of New Deal opposition might consider how the political opponent of the New Deal which would have the greatest effect on FDR’s reforms was the Republican Party in Congress. Not only were the numbers against the Republicans being effective but the party itself was divided between Eastern conservatives and Western progressives. They took quite different attitudes towards New Deal reforms. In addition, the Republicans were the minority party for the first time in a long time – this took a lot of getting used to. They were also seen as the party in charge when the Great Depression occurred and so blamed by many for the situation the country found itself in. The Republican approach seemed no answer to a depression of unprecedented depth. Discussion may also focus on opposition outside of Republican opposition. The two best known are Huey Long and Charles Coughlin. Huey Long was a Democratic Senator, Charles Coughlin a Roman Catholic priest. Both, after initially supporting the New Deal, turned against it for being too cautious and ineffective. Both used the new medium of the radio to gain support. Before his assassination, Huey Long became more left-wing. Father Coughlin’s views moved more towards the right. Both gained a great public response, but it never turned into organised and effective electoral opposition to a President and a party which gained more support in 1936. Accept any other valid responses.