The Most Significant Opposition to the New Deal

The New Deal, a series of programs and reforms championed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) from 1933 to 1939, aimed to address the devastating effects of the Great Depression. While widely regarded as a transformative period in American history, the New Deal faced significant opposition from various political factions. This essay will argue that while opposition from the left was significant, it was not the most significant challenge to the New Deal. This essay will examine the criticisms from the left, led by figures like Huey Long and Dr. Francis Townsend, and compare them to the challenges posed by right-wing opponents and the Supreme Court, ultimately concluding that the latter presented a more formidable obstacle to FDR's agenda.

Left-Wing Opposition

A key source of opposition originated from the left, where critics argued that the New Deal was not progressive enough. Huey Long, the charismatic senator from Louisiana, emerged as a prominent voice against FDR's policies. Long's "Share Our Wealth" program called for radical wealth redistribution, advocating for a cap on personal fortunes and a guaranteed annual income for all Americans. Garnering millions of supporters, Long posed a legitimate threat to FDR's re-election in 1936 until his assassination. His movement highlighted the sentiment among some Americans who felt the New Deal was not doing enough to address income inequality and alleviate the plight of the poor and working class.

Furthermore, Dr. Francis Townsend, a retired physician, galvanized opposition with his plan for old-age pensions. Townsend proposed providing a monthly pension of $200 to all citizens over 60, financed by a national sales tax. His plan resonated with millions of elderly Americans struggling during the Depression and exerted significant pressure on the Roosevelt administration. The Townsend movement, though ultimately unsuccessful in achieving its specific goals, demonstrated the demand for more comprehensive social safety nets and influenced the creation of the Social Security Act of 1935.

These criticisms, however, primarily targeted the First New Deal (1933-1935) which prioritized economic recovery over social reform. The Second New Deal (1935-1939) addressed many of these concerns, introducing social security, labor rights, and public works programs that aligned more closely with the left's vision. Thus, while left-wing opposition was vociferous and influential in shaping the New Deal's direction, it ultimately lacked the potency to derail it entirely.

Opposition from the Right and the Supreme Court

The most substantial challenges to the New Deal originated from the right wing and the Supreme Court. The Liberty League, composed of wealthy industrialists and conservative Democrats, fiercely opposed the New Deal, denouncing it as "socialistic" and an attack on individual liberties. While politically ineffective, their rhetoric fueled public anxieties about government overreach and the expansion of federal power.

Adding to the chorus of right-wing criticism was Father Charles Coughlin, a Catholic priest with a popular radio show. Coughlin initially supported FDR but later became a vocal critic, blaming the Depression on international bankers and accusing the New Deal of being controlled by "moneyed interests." His anti-Semitic rhetoric and increasingly extremist views ultimately diminished his influence but nonetheless contributed to the climate of opposition against the New Deal.

However, the most formidable opposition originated from the Supreme Court. The Court, dominated by conservative justices, struck down several key New Deal programs as unconstitutional. In the landmark case of Schechter Poultry Corp. v. United States (1935), the Court invalidated the National Industrial Recovery Act (NIRA), a cornerstone of the New Deal's efforts to regulate industry and stimulate economic growth. Similarly, the Court overturned the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) in United States v. Butler (1936), dealing a blow to FDR's attempts to aid farmers struggling with plummeting crop prices. The Court's rulings, rooted in a strict interpretation of the Constitution and a skepticism of federal intervention in the economy, represented a significant roadblock to FDR's agenda.

While FDR's attempt to "pack the court" by increasing the number of justices ultimately failed, the threat of such a move, coupled with growing public support for the New Deal, seemed to prompt a shift in the Court's stance. By 1937, the Court upheld the constitutionality of the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) and the Social Security Act, signaling a more receptive attitude towards New Deal legislation. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court's early opposition posed a significant hurdle for the New Deal, forcing the Roosevelt administration to adapt its strategies and navigate the legal challenges to its authority.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while left-wing criticism of the New Deal was significant in highlighting its shortcomings and pushing for more radical reforms, it did not represent the most significant opposition. The combined challenges from the right wing, with their powerful rhetoric and influence on public opinion, and the Supreme Court, with its ability to overturn key New Deal legislation, presented a more formidable obstacle to FDR's agenda. It was the need to appease these critics and maneuver around judicial roadblocks that ultimately shaped the trajectory of the New Deal and its legacy in American history.

Sources

Brinkley, Alan. "The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People." McGraw-Hill Education, 2019.

Leuchtenburg, William E. "Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1940." Harper & Row, 1963.

Schlesinger, Arthur M. Jr. "The Age of Roosevelt: The Coming of the New Deal." Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1957.