USA features- opposition to the new deal

Two features of Supreme Court opposition

Feature 1 – Ruling New Deal Laws Unconstitutional:

The Supreme Court declared several key New Deal measures unconstitutional, arguing they gave the federal government too much power. In 1935, the Court ruled the NRA (National Recovery Administration) illegal in the Schechter Poultry Corp v. United States case, saying it interfered with states’ rights.

Feature 2 – Roosevelt’s Court-Packing Plan:

In 1937, frustrated by the Court blocking New Deal reforms, Roosevelt proposed adding up to 6 new justices to the Supreme Court. This was known as his “court-packing” plan. It caused huge controversy and was rejected by Congress, damaging Roosevelt’s reputation even among supporters.

Two features of republican opposition

Feature 1 – Belief in ‘Laissez-Faire’ Policies:

Republicans believed the New Deal gave the government too much control over the economy. They supported laissez-faire (minimal government interference) and criticised New Deal agencies like the AAA and NRA for limiting free enterprise and increasing federal power.

Feature 2 – Complaints About High Government Spending:

Republicans opposed the huge cost of New Deal programmes, arguing they led to increased taxes and national debt. They believed relief measures like the WPA encouraged dependency rather than self-reliance, and that Roosevelt was wasting public money on temporary jobs.

Two features of business opposition

Feature 1 – Objection to Government Regulation:

Many business leaders opposed New Deal agencies like the NRA, which set rules on wages, prices, and working hours. They believed these regulations interfered with free-market capitalism and reduced their ability to run businesses independently.

Feature 2 – Complaints About Increased Taxes and Costs:

Business owners criticised the New Deal for increasing taxes to fund relief programmes, arguing it punished success and discouraged investment. They also opposed labour reforms, like the Wagner Act, which empowered trade unions and increased labour costs.

Two features of the liberty league

Feature 1 – Belief That Roosevelt Was Overstepping His Power:

The Liberty League, formed in 1934 by wealthy businessmen and conservative politicians, argued that Roosevelt’s New Deal was unconstitutional. They believed it gave the federal government too much control over people’s lives and threatened individual freedoms and capitalism.

Feature 2 – Promotion of Laissez-Faire and Business Interests:

The League campaigned against New Deal policies like the NRA and Social Security, which they saw as anti-business and socialist. They spent over $1 million on pamphlets, speeches, and radio broadcasts to sway public opinion and defend free enterprise and limited government.

Two features of Huey long and the “share our wealth” program

Feature 1 – Criticism of Roosevelt and the New Deal:

Huey Long, a Democratic senator from Louisiana, believed the New Deal didn’t go far enough to help the poor. He claimed Roosevelt was too close to big business and argued that wealth needed to be redistributed more fairly across society.

Feature 2 – Radical Proposals to Tackle Poverty:

Long’s “Share Our Wealth” programme aimed to cap personal fortunes at $5 million and limit annual incomes to $1 million. The money taken from the rich would be used to provide every American family with a home, car, radio, and $5,000 grant, as well as guaranteed jobs and pensions.

Two features of father Coughlin’s social justice campaign

Feature 1 – Criticism of the New Deal and Big Business:

Father Coughlin, a Catholic priest with a popular national radio show, “the golden hour of the little flower” initially supported Roosevelt but later criticised the New Deal for not doing enough to help the poor. He accused banks and business leaders of corruption, and said Roosevelt had betrayed ordinary Americans.

Feature 2 – Promotion of the “Social Justice” Programme:

In 1934, Coughlin founded the National Union for Social Justice, which called for the nationalisation of major industries, a living wage, and more help for the poor. His ideas gained huge attention—at his peak, he had an audience of over 30 million radio listeners.