7: Opposition to the New Deal

Question	Answer
Whom initially concerned Roosevelt more: opposition from the left, or opposition from the right?	Opposition from the left, as he felt they threatened to undermine free enterprise
How many votes did the American Communist Party poll in 1932?	102,000
How many votes did the Socialist Party gain in 1932?	884,000
Who was the mastermind behind EPIC - End Poverty In California?	Upton Sinclair
What did EPIC demand?	Redistribution of wealth and state ownership of economic activities
How many votes did Sinclair poll, despite being beaten by the Republican candidate, proving the popularity of radical solutions?	870,000
How many states had any kind of old age pensions in 1933?	only 28
What were Dr Francis Townsend's proposals in 1933?	That all those over 60 should be given $200 per month provided that they spend it
By 1935, how many people were members of Townsend Clubs?	500,000
How many signatures did his Bill submitted to Congress have attached to a petition?	2 million
How would the old age pensions be paid?	A 2% sales tax
Who was the 'Radio Priest'?	Father Charles Coughlin
Why was Coughlin such a threat?	He had a regular radio audience of over 40 million people, which was more than listened to Roosevelt's fireside chats
Why did Coughlin become increasingly critical of Roosevelt?	He believed that he had not done enough to tackle the banking crisis and claimed that he was in the pocket of Wall Street
Why did Coughlin begin to lose credibility?	He saw himself as the saviour of the USA and claimed that Roosevelt was an anti-God and that assassination could be justified. He became increasingly anti-Semitic and the Church authorities intervened
Who was arguably the most dangerous of all Roosevelt's left-wing opponents, threatening to pull together all the resentment and discontent?	Huey Long
Which state had he governed over?	The State of Louisiana
What was the name of the national society that Long established?	'Share Our Wealth'
What did Long promise?	A homestead allowance of $5,000 and a minimum annual income of $2,500
How would Long's promises be paid for?	Taxation of the rich and the confiscation of all fortunes over 5 million dollars
How many members were Share Our Wealth societies estimated to have?	8 million members
Did Long threaten Roosevelt's position as president?	He would not gain the presidents seat, but might do enough to deny Roosevelt victory over the Republicans
When was Long assassinated?	1935
Why were critics from the right-side of the political spectrum annoyed with Roosevelt and the New Deal?	They felt that the New Deal undermined traditional American values of self-help and personal initiative
Who did the Republicans generally represent?	The rich and business corporations
Why did they attack Roosevelt? 3 reasons	They were critical of the deficit Of raising personal taxes and large government expenditure Resented intervention in the economy
What did the rich members of society claim that Roosevelt was?	A traitor to his class
Which ex-presidential Democratic candidate was involved in the American Liberty League?	Al Smith
Which businesses supported and provided money for the American Liberty League of 1934?	Du Pont, General Motors, and United States Steel
What Acts were they particularly bitter towards, which eventually resulted in a massive lobbying campaign to prevent it from being passed in Congress?	The Public Utilities Holding Act and the Revenue Act. On both Roosevelt was forced to compromise
What was one positive of being criticised from both the left and the right?	Roosevelt could always play his card of moderation
What played the most effective challenge to the New Deal?	The Supreme Court
What was the average age of the 9 Supreme Court justices?	71
Of the 16 cases tried by the Supreme Court how many declared that Roosevelt or Congress had acted unconstitutionally?	11
Which two cases illustrated the fight between the New Deal and the Supreme Court?	The Sick Chickens Case and the United States vs Butler
What was Roosevelt's reasoning for wanting to nominate up to six more justices, one for every one over the age of 70?	He wanted to rejuvenate the court and speed up its efficiency
The two swing justices became more liberal, anxious to diffuse the situation. Then the most conservative retired. Why was Roosevelt's New Deal threatened?	Despite winning the battle, Roosevelt had lost popularity through his attempts to pack the court and lost his hold on Congress which he never regained
When did the New Deal come grinding to a halt?	1937-1938

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