Critiques and Consequences of the New Deal

American Liberty League

Group opposing New Deal, claiming it threatened freedoms.

Francis Townsend

Proposed monthly pensions for elderly, influencing Social Security.

Father Charles Coughlin

Popular radio priest criticizing New Deal policies.

Huey Long

Senator advocating wealth redistribution through Share Our Wealth.

Supreme Court Issues

Court overturned key New Deal laws, limiting reforms.

National Industrial Recovery Act

Established the National Recovery Administration (NRA) to regulate industries and create codes of fair competition; improved public infrastructure, reformed the industrial sector, and stimulated economic recovery; declared unconstitutional and President's power over commerce questioned.

Court-Packing Scheme

FDR's plan to add Justices, criticized as power grab.

Economic Setbacks

New Deal failed to achieve full economic recovery.

Federal Reserve Board

Raised interest rates, hindering business expansion during recovery.

Unemployment Rate

Surged over 20% after initial New Deal gains.

Jim Crow Laws

Racial segregation laws affecting New Deal relief for Blacks.

Socialist Party

Critics claiming New Deal favored banking over poor.

Communist Party

Critics asserting New Deal benefited big business primarily.

1936 Presidential Election

FDR faced criticism from both left and right.

Constitutional Concerns

Critics argued New Deal expanded executive power unlawfully.

Relief Programs

New Deal initiatives aimed at aiding struggling Americans.

Populist Slogans

Used by Long to promote wealth redistribution ideas.

Elderly Justices

FDR cited aging Justices to justify Court expansion.

FDR's Deficit Reduction

Cut federal spending, miscalculating impact on economy.

Economic Tailspin

Post-1936 recovery efforts led to renewed economic decline.

New Deal Supporters

FDR's appointees likely to support his policies.

New Deal

Series of programs aimed at economic recovery.

Civil Rights

Legal protections for individuals against discrimination.

Southern Democrats

Political group influencing New Deal legislation.

National Recovery Association

Agency promoting fair labor practices, but favored whites.

Federal Housing Authority (FHA)

Agency that denied mortgages to black homebuyers.

Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC)

Program with segregated camps for black workers.

Social Security Act

Excluded many black job categories from benefits.

Agricultural Adjustment Administration (AAA)

Program that adversely affected black sharecroppers.

Sharecroppers

Farmers who work land for a share of crops.

Tenant Farmers

Farmers who rent land to cultivate crops.

Redlining

Denial of services based on neighborhood demographics.

Federal Emergency Relief Administration

Distributed funds to states for poor relief.

Systemic Racism

Institutional practices that disadvantage racial minorities.

Economic Disparity

Inequality in wealth and resources among groups.

Racial Segregation

Separation of races in various aspects of life.

Job Discrimination

Unequal job opportunities based on race.

Federal Government

National authority responsible for implementing New Deal.

Conservative Southern Democrats

Opposed civil rights, influencing New Deal policies.

Institutional Racism

Systemic policies that perpetuate racial inequality.

Redlining

Discriminatory practice denying services based on location.

Generational Wealth

Wealth passed down through generations, growing over time.

Income Gap

Disparity in earnings between different groups.

Systemic Racism

Institutional policies perpetuating racial inequalities.

Housing Discrimination

Unfair treatment in housing based on race or income.

Income

Flow of money received over time, e.g., salary.

Wealth

Total assets owned, including property and investments.

Economic Inequality

Unequal distribution of wealth and resources in society.

Racial Covenants

Legal agreements restricting property sales based on race.

Gentrification

Revitalization of neighborhoods often displacing lower-income residents.

Local Segregation Laws

Regulations enforcing racial separation in housing.

HOLC Maps

1937 maps used to assess mortgage risks by race.

1911 Residential Segregation Law

Law defining city blocks by racial majority.

Supreme Court Ruling 1917

Declared 1911 segregation law unconstitutional.

1929 Segregation Law

Law enforcing racial purity in residential areas.

High Income Inequality

Significant disparity in income levels among residents.

New Deal

Federal program aimed at economic recovery during Great Depression.

IPS Study (2016)

Found 228 years for Black families to equal White wealth.