American Presidents: FDR vs. Hoover

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Questions and Answers

What was one of the main goals of Franklin Roosevelt's New Deal?

To decrease federal government intervention in social security.

To eliminate all government agencies related to the economy.

To create laws expanding social security and stabilize the economy. (correct)

To revert to strictly constitutional governance.

How did Herbert Hoover view the relationship between individualism and the New Deal?

He believed the New Deal reinforced individualism.

He termed the New Deal as a challenge to individual liberty. (correct)

He saw the New Deal as a necessary measure for progress.

He thought the New Deal was essential for economic growth.

What was Hoover's perspective on economic security as advocated by the New Deal?

It aligned with socialist principles.

It was achievable through government reform.

It was a practical solution for American individuals.

It represented a utopian idea that undermined liberty. (correct)

What was a significant critique of the rise of labor unions according to the text?

They denied individualism by promoting collective bargaining. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes Robert Taft’s position in the political climate of the 1930s and 1940s?

He voiced concerns against the influence of labor unions on the Democratic Party. Signup and view all the answers

What key themes characterize modern conservatism as discussed in the content?

Respect for the Constitution, criticism of elites, and racial superiority. Signup and view all the answers

What was Truman's significant action regarding civil rights in 1948?

He implemented the first civil rights platform within the Democratic Party. Signup and view all the answers

What was the primary aim of the State's Right Party in the 1948 election?

To support the New Deal without challenging segregation. Signup and view all the answers

What role did National Review magazine play in American conservatism?

It served as a venue for conservatives to discuss their ideas. Signup and view all the answers

Which event revealed the division within the Democratic Party regarding segregation?

The 1948 presidential election. Signup and view all the answers

How did William Buckley view his education experience at Yale?

He felt it lacked any conservative perspectives. Signup and view all the answers

What significant supreme court ruling occurred in Smith vs. Allwright in 1944?

It declared the white primary unconstitutional. Signup and view all the answers

What did the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) advocate for?

The promotion of collective bargaining and minimum wage. Signup and view all the answers

What transformation did the Democratic Party undergo during Roosevelt's presidency?

It embraced a more interventionist role in economic affairs. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Franklin Delano Roosevelt

Elected in 1932, he became a transformative president
His New Deal policies expanded the federal government's role in social security and economic regulation.
He founded the FDIC to protect savings
His goal was to create prosperity, security, and stability.

Herbert Hoover

President from 1929 to 1933
Republican who believed in science, progress, and individualism, but not conservative in the modern sense.
Criticized Roosevelt's New Deal, advocating for a limited government role in the economy.

Liberalism vs. Conservatism

The Industrial Revolution and the rise of capitalism fueled social inequalities.
In Europe, socialism emerged as a response, emphasizing government control of the economy and worker protection.
In the US, the Democratic Party under Roosevelt's influence shifted towards a broader vision of liberalism, embracing government intervention to address social problems.

Hoover's Criticism of the New Deal

Argued that the New Deal's focus on economic security was utopian and would lead to a loss of liberty.
He believed that the New Deal centralized power in the hands of the President, undermining limited government and true freedom.
He rejected the New Deal's approach as liberal, advocating for a new term, "conservatism", to describe his opposing stance.

Rise of Labor Unions and Conservatism

Industrial democracy (i.e., the growth of labor unions) fueled resentment and conservatism.
The Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) advocated for minimum wage and workers' rights, challenging the individualism dominant in American society.
Business leaders saw unions as a threat, both to individual freedom and their own control over wages and working conditions.

Robert Taft: Voice of Conservatism

Senator of Ohio from 1938 to 1953.
Prominent figure in American conservatism during the 1930s and 1940s.
Aimed to curtail the power of labor unions by seeking their regulation, believing they were biased towards the Democratic Party.

Core Principles of Modern Conservatism

Fealty to the Constitution's original intent, particularly safeguarding property rights.
Skepticism towards intellectual elites and their social experimentation, emphasizing tradition.
Belief in the superiority of the "Anglo Saxon Race," reflecting Social Darwinism and a connection to capitalism and economic freedom.

The End of White Primary and the Rise of the Civil Rights Movement

The Supreme Court ruled in Smith v. Allwright (1944) that white-only primaries were unconstitutional.
In 1948, President Truman decided to desegregate the military and the Democratic Party platform incorporated civil rights for the first time.
The repeal of the poll tax, a significant barrier to black voting, was a key step forward for civil rights.

The 1948 Presidential Election and the 'States Rights' Party

The 1948 presidential election saw Harry Truman (Democrat) winning against Thomas Dewey (Republican).
Strom Thurmond, running on a "States Rights" platform, won four Southern states (Alabama, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Louisiana).
Thurmond's campaign aimed to stop both Truman and Dewey from securing a majority, highlighting divisions within the Democratic Party on the segregation issue.

The Birth of 'National Review'

Founded by William F. Buckley Jr., 'National Review' served as the first conservative magazine in the US.
It provided a platform for conservative thinkers, including businessmen and Southern Democrats, to voice their ideas.
The magazine marked the official beginning of the modern conservative movement.

Buckley's vision for 'National Review'

Buckley, educated at elite institutions, was concerned by the lack of conservative viewpoints in academia.
He saw the magazine as a forum for "radical conservatives," aimed at defending "classical liberalism" and challenging the New Deal's influence in American culture.
National Review's first issue explicitly defines American conservatism, marking its birth as a distinct political force.

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Description

This quiz explores the contrasting approaches of Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Herbert Hoover during the Great Depression. It highlights FDR's New Deal policies and Hoover's advocacy for limited government intervention. Test your knowledge on their ideologies and the impact on American liberalism and conservatism.