AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Opposition to the New Deal (Day 240/309)

Hey APUSHers, let’s chat about Opposition to the New Deal as part of my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

“Oliver Twist,” Wikimedia Commons

With the implementation of Roosevelt’s New Deal, the federal government took a significantly more active role in the economy which was heavily criticized by many for various reasons.

Share Our Wealth Booklet, Wikimedia Commons

From the left, figures like Senator Huey Long and organizations like the Share Our Wealth movement, believed that the New Deal didn't go far enough in addressing underlying social and economic issues, especially regarding racial and gender inequality. 

“The New Deal Pump,” Language Log

Conversely, critics on the right, including the American Liberty League, contended that the New Deal was a step toward socialism and went too far in disrupting free-market principles and favoring labor unions over employers. 

“Do we want a ventriloquist act in the Supreme Court,” CUNY

The Supreme Court's invalidation of several key aspects of the New Deal fueled accusations of executive overreach and intensified opposition. In response, Roosevelt hoped to pack the courts with supporters, which drew further concerns about the concentration of power in the executive branch.   

During the Great Depression, President Roosevelt faced intense criticism from many as some believed the New Deal expanded the role of government too greatly while others believed it did not do enough to ease the suffering of Americans. 

Join me tomorrow as I explain Limitations of the New Deal in the next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!