To what extent did opposition to the New Deal come from the conservative right?
Level
AS LEVEL
Year Examined
2022
Topic
The Great Crash, the Great Depression and the New Deal policies, 1920–41
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To what extent did opposition to the New Deal come from the conservative right?
To what extent did opposition to the New Deal come from the conservative right?
The New Deal, a series of programs and reforms championed by President Franklin Delano Roosevelt (FDR) in response to the Great Depression, faced opposition from various quarters. While conservative right-wing opposition was significant, it is crucial to acknowledge the presence of dissent from the left as well. This essay will argue that while the conservative right presented formidable opposition, particularly in the later years of the New Deal, opposition from the left, especially during FDR's first term, was equally if not more potent in shaping the trajectory of New Deal policies.
Opposition from the Right
The conservative right, comprising primarily of wealthy industrialists, conservative Democrats, and some Republicans, opposed the New Deal on the grounds that it stifled private enterprise and promoted excessive government intervention in the economy. The most organized manifestation of this opposition was the American Liberty League, formed in 1934. The League, heavily funded by prominent businessmen, launched a well-financed propaganda campaign against the New Deal, denouncing it as "socialist" and a threat to American individualism. Their arguments resonated with those who believed in limited government and laissez-faire economics. However, the League’s influence waned considerably after FDR's landslide re-election victory in 1936, demonstrating the limits of their appeal.
Despite the decline of the Liberty League, conservative opposition persisted within Congress. Conservative Democrats, often siding with Republicans, formed a formidable bloc that challenged FDR's agenda. The "Conservative Manifesto" published in 1937, epitomized their stance, advocating for fiscal responsibility and limited government intervention. This coalition successfully stalled several New Deal reforms, including anti-lynching legislation and further expansion of social welfare programs. The Southern Democrats, particularly resistant to federal interference in their racially segregated society, proved to be a particularly stubborn obstacle. The conservative right's congressional clout, even without a unified national platform, demonstrates its substantial impact on the New Deal's trajectory, particularly in curbing further radical reforms during FDR's second term.
Opposition from the Left
While the conservative right posed a significant challenge, it was the opposition from the left that arguably had a more profound impact, particularly during the formative years of the New Deal. The left, encompassing figures like Father Charles Coughlin, Dr. Francis Townsend, and Senator Huey Long, critiqued the New Deal for not going far enough in addressing the economic plight of ordinary Americans. They argued for radical wealth redistribution, guaranteed income, and increased social welfare provisions.
Father Coughlin, a Catholic priest with a massive radio audience, initially supported FDR but turned against him, accusing the New Deal of being beholden to Wall Street interests. He formed the National Union for Social Justice, advocating for monetary reforms and nationalization of key industries. Dr. Townsend, through his Townsend Plan, called for a guaranteed pension for the elderly, a proposal that resonated deeply with older Americans struggling during the Depression. Senator Huey Long, with his "Share Our Wealth" program, proposed a highly progressive tax system to fund social programs and redistribute wealth. Although Long was assassinated in 1935, his ideas continued to resonate, highlighting the popular appeal of more radical solutions.
Beyond these charismatic figures, the labor movement also exerted significant pressure on the Roosevelt administration. The 1930s witnessed an unprecedented wave of labor unrest, with strikes and protests demanding better wages and working conditions. The formation of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) and its success in organizing mass-production industries like automobiles and steel, forced the Roosevelt administration to take a more pro-labor stance. The passage of the Wagner Act in 1935, guaranteeing workers' right to organize and collectively bargain, can be seen as a direct response to this pressure from the left.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while the conservative right presented a staunch opposition to the New Deal, it was the pressure from the left that arguably had a more profound impact on shaping its trajectory. The conservative right, though successful in stalling some reforms, ultimately failed to dismantle the core tenets of the New Deal. Their opposition, however, contributed to a shift towards more moderate policies in FDR's second term. Conversely, the left, with its demands for radical reforms and its ability to mobilize popular support, pushed FDR towards enacting more progressive legislation, particularly during his first term. It was this dynamic interplay between opposition from both ends of the political spectrum that ultimately defined the scope and legacy of the New Deal.
Bibliography
⭐Brinkley, Alan. "The Unfinished Nation: A Concise History of the American People." McGraw-Hill Education, 2014.
⭐Leuchtenburg, William E. "Franklin D. Roosevelt and the New Deal, 1932-1940." Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2009.
⭐Schlesinger Jr., Arthur M. "The Age of Roosevelt: The Coming of the New Deal." Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, 1957.
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Introduction
Briefly introduce the New Deal and acknowledge the presence of opposition from both the left and right. State your argument - that while opposition existed on both sides, the conservative right posed a more significant challenge to the New Deal.
Conservative Opposition
Organized Resistance
Discuss the American Liberty League: its formation, goals, and eventual decline. Highlight the role of conservative Democrats and industrialists in opposing perceived threats to private enterprise.
Congressional Opposition
Explain the emergence of the Conservative Coalition in Congress, their manifesto, and their tactics in blocking legislation like the anti-lynching bill. Mention the opposition to the Fair Labor Standards Act and its impact on FDR's relationship with Southern Democrats.
Left-Wing Opposition
Prominent Figures
Introduce key left-wing critics like Coughlin, Townsend, and Long, highlighting their proposals for more radical economic reform.
Labor Unrest
Discuss the role of labor unions and strikes in pressuring the Roosevelt administration for more worker-friendly policies during the First New Deal. Link this pressure to the passage of legislation like the Wagner Act.
Shifting Landscape
Analyze the decline of left-wing opposition in FDR's second term. Explain the reasons for the diminished influence of figures like Coughlin and Long, while acknowledging Townsend's continued role in shaping Social Security.
Conclusion
Reiterate your argument, emphasizing the more sustained and organized nature of conservative opposition. Briefly acknowledge the impact of both sides, but conclude that the conservative right presented a more significant obstacle to the New Deal's implementation.
Extracts from Mark Schemes
To what extent did opposition to the New Deal come from the conservative right?
Possible discussion of opposition from the right:
• The most organised and most public right-wing opposition to the New Deal was the American Liberty League, set up in 1934. It combined conservative Democrats and some leading industrialists and some popular support for private enterprise, which these groups felt was being eroded by the New Deal. Once FDR was re-elected in 1936, the American Liberty League lost support and soon disbanded.
• However, in Congress at least, conservative Democrats started to work across the aisle with some Republicans. In December 1937, they published a Conservative Manifesto praising private enterprise. The right-wing opposition in the Senate blocked an anti-lynching bill approved by the House, to FDR’s embarrassment.
• FDR pushed through Congress the Fair Labour Standards Act, which introduced a minimum wage, against conservative opposition. Relations between FDR and Southern Democrats deteriorated. The right-wing opposition in the Senate blocked further New Deal reforms.
Possible discussion of opposition from the left:
• The leading left-wing opponents – Father Coughlin, Francis Townsend and Huey Long – are better remembered than the American Liberty League and the ‘Old Right’ Conservative Coalition of the later 1930s.
• Coughlin established a National Union for Social Justice in 1934 and a third party to contest the 1936 presidential elections. Francis Townsend gained national publicity for his proposal to introduce Social Security for the old. Long set up his Share Our Wealth movement in 1934, arguing for progressive taxation and great redistribution of wealth.
• As well as personalities such as Coughlin, Townsend and Long, institutions such as labour unions should also be included. There was more labour unrest in the 1930s than is often remembered. This left-wing pressure, even though uncoordinated, was at its height during the First New Deal. There would seem to be a close connection between that left-wing pressure and the more radical Second New Deal of 1935–36, which did include Social Security reform and the Wagner Act.
• Only Townsend remained to influence New Deal legislation in FDR’s second term, helping to persuade Congress to extend Social Security to include dependents of retired workers. Long had been assassinated in 1935 and Coughlin became more concerned with opposing communism. Thus, there is a clear contrast between opposition to the New Deal in the two presidential terms.
Some candidates will include Supreme Court opposition to many New Deal reforms, but the Supreme Court is a judicial not a political institution and so cannot be seen as either left wing or right wing. Accept any other valid responses.