Charles Coughlin: Radio Priest and Politics

A Canadian-American Catholic priest known for his political radio broadcasts, particularly during the 1930s.

A political organization founded by Father Coughlin in 1934, advocating for social justice through economic reforms and labor rights.

Father Coughlin's weekly radio broadcasts, which gained immense popularity during the 1930s, reaching millions of listeners.

The practice of using radio to reach a large audience, particularly in the 1930s.

The period in the 1930s when Father Coughlin shifted his political views, turning against President Roosevelt and adopting more extreme ideologies, including anti-Semitism.

The period in the late 1930s when Father Coughlin expressed support for some of the policies of Nazi Germany and Fascist Italy.

The use of inflammatory or provocative language to incite strong emotions and manipulate public opinion.

The spreading of false or misleading information to damage a person's reputation or influence public opinion.

Catholic priest and radio broadcaster who achieved immense popularity during the Great Depression.

The institution where Coughlin received his early education, run by the Congregation of St. Basil.

A traditional religious order that Coughlin joined after graduating from St. Michael's College.

The seminary where Coughlin prepared for the priesthood, and where he was later ordained in 1916.

Coughlin's first teaching position after his ordination, located in Windsor, Ontario.

A reorganization that led to Coughlin's departure from the Basilian Fathers in 1923, changing the order's lifestyle from a society of common life to a monastic life.

A transfer of a priest's membership from one religious order to another.

The Archdiocese where Coughlin was accepted after leaving the Basilians, prompting a move to Detroit.

A radio program that began with Coughlin broadcasting his Sunday sermons from WJR in Detroit.

The radio network that Coughlin created after his contract with CBS ended.

The popular phrase coined by Coughlin to advocate for Roosevelt's New Deal reforms, depicting it as a crucial initiative for the nation.

The event that sparked Coughlin's initial radio broadcasts, which were intended to offer support to local Catholics.

Coughlin argued that the unrestricted competition in industry was detrimental to long-term prosperity.

Coughlin believed that the government should regulate industry by setting minimum wages and maximum working hours.

Coughlin supported the nationalization of silver mines in the 1930s, contributing to their temporary nationalization through taxes.

Coughlin advocated for the nationalization of the Federal Reserve System, arguing that Congress should control the money supply.

Coughlin's views shifted from supporting President Roosevelt to taking a more anti-democratic stance, calling for the elimination of political parties.

Coughlin's views aligned with those of Richards, a conservative who held reactionary beliefs.

The German American Bund was a Nazi organization in the US. Coughlin distanced himself from them, particularly during a rally in New York City.

Coughlin criticized the government for allowing private citizens to create money, describing the Great Depression as a "cash famine."

Coughlin argued that the government should prioritize national prosperity over internationalism, appealing to isolationist sentiments.

The practice of using radio broadcasting to spread ideas and influence public opinion.

A group of laws that aimed to keep the US neutral in European conflicts, specifically during the 1930s.

A self-regulating committee formed by the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) to control controversial content on radio broadcasts.

A conspiracy theory alleging that Jewish bankers caused the 1917 Russian Revolution.

A fraudulent antisemitic text falsely claiming the existence of a Jewish conspiracy to control the world.

A book published by the Institute for Propaganda Analysis in 1939 that used Father Coughlin's radio talks to illustrate how propaganda works.

The US government agency responsible for regulating telecommunications, including radio broadcasting.

A group of people who opposed US involvement in World War II.

The US government agency responsible for investigating crimes and counterintelligence.

The act of intentionally provoking violence or unrest.

A period of intense economic hardship in the US during the 1930s.

Coughlin's political views were generally isolationist and anti-Semitic, opposing the New Deal and the expansion of American interventionism. He advocated for a strong nationalist stance and openly criticized President Franklin Delano Roosevelt.

Coughlin formed the National Union for Social Justice (NUSJ) in 1934, a group advocating for social justice and economic reform. His organization ultimately formed a third party, the Union Party, in preparation for the 1936 presidential election.

Coughlin criticized Roosevelt's policies, particularly his involvement in international affairs. He accused Roosevelt of "leaning toward international socialism" due to his perceived failure to support the Spanish Nationalists in the Spanish Civil War.

In the 1936 presidential election, Coughlin supported the third-party candidacy of House Representative William Lemke. He promised his radio audience to retire from broadcasting if he failed to deliver nine million votes for Lemke, which he ultimately did not achieve.

Coughlin's anti-Semitic rhetoric and activities intensified in the late 1930s. He accused Jewish individuals and organizations of orchestrating various conspiracies against the United States.

In 1938, Coughlin established the Christian Front, a group that attracted members primarily from Irish-American men in New York City and other eastern cities. The group's goal was to combat alleged "anti-Christian forces."

Coughlin's inflammatory language and statements about Jewish people led to protests and condemnation from some radio stations and the Catholic Church.

The Catholic Church hierarchy, particularly Cardinal George Mundelein, archbishop of Chicago, condemned Coughlin's actions and statements, clarifying he did not represent the Church's doctrine or sentiment.

The US government, through the Federal Communications Commission, began imposing regulations on radio broadcasting, aiming to curb Coughlin's influence and limit his broadcasts due to concerns over his inflammatory rhetoric.

Coughlin's influence diminished, and he eventually retired from broadcasting in 1940.

Coughlin's legacy remains controversial, as his use of radio to spread political and religious messages during the Great Depression had a significant impact on American society.

Coughlin's anti-Semitism, alongside his nationalist and isolationist views, mirrored some of the anti-Semitic rhetoric and tendencies that gained momentum in Nazi Germany during the 1930s.

Coughlin's use of radio to communicate his political and religious views was innovative and impactful, demonstrating the potential of new technologies to reach large audiences and shape public opinion.