23.2 New Deal Critics23.2 New Deal Critics

Limitations of the New DealLimitations of the New Deal►Fair Labor Standards Act only Fair Labor Standards Act only

set minimum wage at $.25/hr.set minimum wage at $.25/hr.►Less helpful to women and Less helpful to women and

minorities.minorities.►Lower wages for women were Lower wages for women were

permitted and men were often permitted and men were often preferred for jobs.preferred for jobs.

►African Americans were not African Americans were not usually offered jobs at the usually offered jobs at the professional level.professional level.

►They were kept out of skilled jobs They were kept out of skilled jobs and received lower pay than and received lower pay than whites.whites.

►Early Depression saw an increase Early Depression saw an increase in lynching.in lynching.

►FDR did appoint a lot of African FDR did appoint a lot of African Americans to policy making Americans to policy making posts.posts.

Political CriticsPolitical Critics►The Second New Deal saw an The Second New Deal saw an

increase of taxes on the rich.increase of taxes on the rich.►Revenue Act (Wealth Tax Act) Revenue Act (Wealth Tax Act)

raised tax rate on individuals raised tax rate on individuals with income over $50,000.with income over $50,000.

►Alfred Smith led the American Alfred Smith led the American Liberty League in opposition Liberty League in opposition to the New Deal.to the New Deal.

►Others claimed the New Deal Others claimed the New Deal did not do enough to eliminate did not do enough to eliminate poverty.poverty.

►Wisconsin Progressive claimed Wisconsin Progressive claimed the New Deal did not “spread the New Deal did not “spread the wealth around enough.”the wealth around enough.”

Other CriticsOther Critics►Father Coughlin-Radio Priest- Father Coughlin-Radio Priest-

weekly audience of over 10 mill weekly audience of over 10 mill people.people.

►Popular at first but lost credibility Popular at first but lost credibility due to his shaky standings-first due to his shaky standings-first support New Deal then not etc..support New Deal then not etc..

►Became anti-Jewish, praised Became anti-Jewish, praised HitlerHitler

►Huey LongHuey Long►Long wanted a complete Long wanted a complete

redistribution of wealth in the redistribution of wealth in the country.country.

►Limit income to $1mill.Limit income to $1mill.►He helped pressure FDR to He helped pressure FDR to

levy more taxes on wealthy.levy more taxes on wealthy.►Executed by political rival in Executed by political rival in

1935.1935.

Modern Day CriticsModern Day Critics►Some say New Deal threatened Some say New Deal threatened

American free enterprise.American free enterprise.►People opposed the idea of People opposed the idea of

deficit spending.deficit spending.►People believed New Deal People believed New Deal

violated free-market system.violated free-market system.►You decide.You decide.

FDR and Court PackingFDR and Court Packing►Constitution makes no provision Constitution makes no provision

for amount of Supreme Court for amount of Supreme Court justices.justices.

►Traditionally nine.Traditionally nine.►FDR want to add at least 6 more.FDR want to add at least 6 more.►To ease the case load burden of To ease the case load burden of

the aging judges or so he said.the aging judges or so he said.

►FDR really wanted more FDR really wanted more judges in there that would judges in there that would side with his way of thinking.side with his way of thinking.

►Get more legislation passed Get more legislation passed through easier.through easier.

►Too much opposition forced to Too much opposition forced to withdraw his bill.withdraw his bill.